Shimla: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday raised serious questions about the functioning of the Himachal Pradesh government following the CBI investigation into the death of Vimal Negi, a chief engineer in the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Shimla, state general secretary Sanjeev Katwal stated that details emerging from the CBI chargesheet filed in a special CBI court have shaken the entire state.
CBI Chargesheet Details
The Times of India, through its news reports published on June 4 and 5, highlighted that the CBI probe linked Negi's death to harassment and pressure from superior officers — then managing director Harikesh Meena (IAS) and director (electrical) Desh Raj — regarding the Rs 220 crore Pekhubela Solar Power Project in Una district. Under pressure, Negi allegedly ended his life in March last year. The CBI chargesheet highlighted an undue favor of Rs 12.73 crore to the contractor of the Pekhubela solar power project, allegedly under pressure from Meena and Raj. Negi went missing from Shimla on March 10, 2023, and his body was recovered on March 18 from the Satluj river in Bilaspur.
BJP's Concerns
Katwal said allegations regarding the issuance of fake completion certificates, manipulation of official records, and decisions taken in violation of established procedures raised concerns about the credibility of the administrative system. If certificates were issued despite discrepancies and officers were pressured or sidelined for raising objections, the matter warrants complete transparency, he added.
The BJP questioned under whose protection such alleged irregularities continued and demanded answers from the Congress government in the state. Katwal reiterated the BJP's demand for a fair, impartial, and comprehensive probe, as well as strict action against those found responsible. He emphasized that the case goes beyond an individual tragedy and highlights issues of accountability, transparency, and governance.
