Photo Credit: ANI News
In a dramatic turn of events, the Himachal Pradesh government has asked three senior officials – Director General of Police Atul Verma, Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, and Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi — to proceed on leave. This decision follows serious allegations of indiscipline and interference in the investigation surrounding the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, the General Manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).
The controversy blew up after SP Sanjeev Gandhi, who was leading the Special Investigation Team probing the case, publicly accused senior state officials, including the DGP and ACS Sharma, of meddling with the investigation. Gandhi alleged that they influenced the inquiry process and submitted misleading affidavits to the Himachal Pradesh High Court. These accusations prompted a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who expressed strong displeasure over the internal discord and made it clear that such indiscipline would not be tolerated.
Vimal Negi’s tragic death has shocked the state. His body was found in Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur in March 2025, after he had been missing for eight days. The family alleged that Negi was under severe mental stress due to harassment from senior officials within HPPCL, raising many questions about the circumstances leading to his death.
Amid growing concerns about the impartiality and integrity of the investigation, the Himachal Pradesh High Court stepped in and transferred the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This move came after reports emerged about the deletion of critical evidence and other irregularities by the state police, which undermined public trust.
The government’s action to place these top officials on leave is a clear message about its commitment to transparency and accountability. While they are on leave, Ashok Tiwari, the Director General of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, has been given the additional responsibility of DGP. Gaurav Singh, the Superintendent of Police of Solan, is acting as Shimla SP, and Kamlesh Kumar Pant has taken charge of the Home and Revenue departments.
This administrative reshuffle reflects the seriousness with which the Himachal Pradesh government is addressing the situation. The incident has spotlighted the need for professional conduct within law enforcement and administrative ranks, especially in sensitive cases that demand utmost integrity.
As the CBI takes over the investigation, the people of Himachal Pradesh and the family of Vimal Negi await a thorough and impartial inquiry to uncover the truth behind this tragic episode. The government’s firm stance is expected to restore faith in the system and ensure justice prevails.
