Director normal of police Atul Verma, in an affidavit filed within the excessive court docket, elevating questions on the “impartiality” of the particular investigation workforce (SIT) probe into the demise of Himachal Pradesh Energy Company Restricted (HPPCL) chief engineer-cum-general supervisor Vimal Negi.
After the contrasting standing reviews, the Himachal Pradesh excessive court docket reserved the judgment on the petition in search of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe filed by Vimal’s spouse Kiran Negi (Representational picture)
Nonetheless, the standing report by Shimla superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi, the top of the SIT, claimed the probe was going forward in an “utmost professional integrity and professionalism”.
After the contrasting standing reviews, the Himachal Pradesh excessive court docket reserved the judgment on the petition in search of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe filed by Vimal’s spouse Kiran Negi.
Each the reviews, filed on Tuesday, had been made public on Wednesday.
Advocate normal Anup Rattan, speaking to media after the listening to, threw his weight behind the SIT whilst he admitted there gave the impression to be “blame game”.
In his standing report, the DGP identified {that a} pen drive recovered from the Vimal Negi’s physique on March 18 was hidden and formatted by assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Pankaj. “This is a serious misconduct on part of the SIT. A pen drive presumably found on the body of the deceased containing crucial evidence was tampered with or destroyed after recovery,” the DGP’s report stated.
After the SIT recovered the pen drive and forensic evaluation proved it belonged to the deceased, ASI Pankaj was suspended and booked on costs of destroying proof.
“It can be safely concluded that it has been a questionable investigation till now and influence/attempted influence of Shimla SP, who has been on the post for more than two years seems to extend beyond his domain,” the DGP added.
He stated, “His (Shimla SP) influence, ability to block report preparation by DGP despite HC order and pressure over SFSL (state forensic science laboratory) director shows his efforts to influence/block investigation within all branches of police and outside for reasons unknown.”
Vimal Negi’s physique was recovered from Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur on March 18, eight days after he was reported lacking. His household alleged Negi was underneath “immense mental stress” and was being “harassed” by HPPCL senior officers. Police registered a case on costs of abetment to suicide on March 22. In her grievance, Kiran accused prime HPPCL officers, together with director (electrical) Desh Raj, the company’s managing director, of psychological harassment and mistreatment. Kiran had moved the HC citing “serious lapses and lack of progress” within the police probe.
Remaining report doubtless in 3-4 days: SP
SP Gandhi stated in his standing report that the ultimate report is probably going inside three to 4 weeks.
The standing report identified that the investigations reveal ill-treatment of staff by then HPPCL director Desh Raj after which managing director Harikesh Meena. Nonetheless, the SIT report provides it has not but discovered any complaints by Vimal Negi alleging he was on the receiving finish of such remedy.
The report additionally identified that Vimal Negi was affected by despair since 2020.
AG Rattan questioned the DGP for submitting the affidavit with out taking his workplace into confidence.
“There appears to be a blame game between the DGP and the SIT. If the DGP had concerns, why weren’t they addressed earlier? Why was the advocate general’s office not taken into confidence before submitting the affidavit? The main issue is ensuring justice for Vimal Negi and not allowing egos or inter-departmental disputes to derail the investigation,” he stated.
“The court has heard all parties and examined the records, including the report submitted by the additional chief secretary, and reserved its judgment,” he added.
After the court docket proceedings, AG Rattan asserted that the SIT’s investigation was being carried out correctly and completely. “The SIT has asked for two weeks to complete the investigation,” he stated.
“The SIT has not acted in a biased manner. They recovered the missing pen drive and sent it to the forensic lab, which retrieved over 14,000 documents which are now part of the investigation. These documents were reportedly taken from Vimal Negi’s official laptop,” Rattan added.
“We have no reason to believe them when even the DGP is raising questions,” stated RK Bawa, the counsel for Negi’s household.
ASI underneath lens no stranger to controversy
Based on the report by Himachal director normal of police (DGP) Atul Verma, assistant sub-inspector Pankaj, posted at Bilaspur Sadar police station, had recovered a pen drive from Vinal Negi’s physique on March 18. The report says the ASI hid and formatted the pen drive.
ASI Pankaj isn’t any stranger to controversy. Based on the DGP’s report, ASI Pankaj’s title is on the OUSP, or “officials undesirable for sensitive posts”, listing.
After the particular investigation workforce recovered the pen drive in query, the ASI was suspended and booked. Nonetheless, the DGP’s report says registration of case was “not enough”.
The DGP identified that ASI Pankaj had been booked in 2015 for try and homicide and underneath the Arms Act after he fired his service weapon. The DGP stated Pankaj was placed on OUSP listing because of the gravity of those allegations.
The ASI was acquitted within the case.