Will ensure free & fair probe into Chief Engineer’s death: Himachal Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today assured the Assembly that a free and impartial inquiry would be conducted into the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), as everyone was feeling hurt and saddened by his demise.

Agnihotri was responding to a demand notice given by Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma during the Zero Hour that the name of an IAS officer, against whom allegations had been levelled, should be mentioned in the FIR registered in the Chief Engineer’s death case. “Any names that crop up during the course of investigation will be added to the FIR, so there should be no doubt on that account,” he added.

Sharma said, “The name of the IAS officer must be mentioned. The FIR should be by name as officers are routinely transferred. Moreover, when the FIR was registered, the said IAS had already been transferred out of the HPPCL, so his name must be added to the FIR.”

The Naina Devi legislator also sought details regarding the demand for handing over the case to the CBI to ensure impartial investigation. “A social media post regarding a senior police officer causing anxiety and stress among his subordinates has gone viral. Has the government taken note of it,” he added.

An FIR has been registered in New Shimla police station against three officials, including two IAS officers, on a complaint filed by Vimal Negi’s family. Negi, who was posted in the HPPCL, had gone missing on March 10 and his body was found in the Gobind Sagar dam in Bilaspur a week later.