Himachal power corporation chief engineer’s death: ‘Didn’t consider it appropriate to review earlier inquiry report,’ says ACS to HC

ACS Sharma was assigned the task of conducting a probe into the death of Vimal Negi on March 19. Subsequently, Negi’s wife approached the HC, requesting that the case be handed over to the CBI. The court directed the ACS to submit a status report and affidavit on April 22. The affidavit and the report were filed in the court on May 20.

Although the ACS also submitted the status report of his fact-finding probe to the HC, the status report is yet to be made public. However, the affidavit was shared with the counsel of the kin of victim Vimal Negi, who is demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

The affidavit reads, “The employees of HPPCL, independent individuals, and the concerned officers against whom allegations were levelled—Harikesh Meena, the then Managing Director, Shivam Pratap, Director (Personnel), and Desh Raj, Director (Electrical)—appeared before the deponent during the course of the inquiry on different dates. Their statements were recorded as per their respective versions.”

It further states, “The deponent did not consider it proper to review the earlier inquiry report, as the fact-finding had already been completed after due application of mind and in line with the procedures established. To the best of his knowledge and ability, there were no justifiable grounds to re-open the inquiry.”

“It is, therefore, respectfully prayed that this status report/affidavit of the deponent may kindly be taken on record in the interest of justice,” the affidavit concludes.

On Wednesday, during the course of hearing in the HC, Advocate General (AG) Anup Kumar Rattan informed the court that the ACS filed the status report, along with the affidavit, without intimating the office of AG. Rattan also contended in the court that DGP Atul Verma had also filed his independent status report in the HC without informing his office.

The matter will come up for further hearing on Friday.