HPPCL chief engineer’s death: CBI lodges FIR following direction by Himachal Pradesh High Court

The FIR was registered against unknown people at the Delhi office of the CBI’s Special Crime Branch (SCB) under sections 108 (abetment to suicide) and 3 (5) (involvement of many people in crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It also mentioned the name of Desh Raj, suspended director (electrical) of HPPCL, in the summary, along with that of the managing director.

The body of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi, who went missing on March 10, was found on March 18 at Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur district. His wife Kiran had alleged that Negi’s seniors at work had harassed him over the last six months and demanded a CBI probe into his death, a request initially denied by the state government.

Inquiry by a fact-finding committee into allegations raised by Kiran highlighted the humiliation Negi faced from senior officers, a show-cause notice issued for availing casual leave, a threatening message, and toxic workplace conditions. Following the submission of this report, the high court directed that the probe be transferred to the CBI.

“The Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla passed the order dated May 23, 2025, for transfer of FIR No. 09/2025 dated March 19, 2025, to CВІ. The FIR was registered at PS New Shimla…on 19.03.2025 against the unknown person on the written complaint of Kiran Negi, wife of deceased Vimal Negi,” the FIR stated.

“The complaint was given after the recovery of the body of deceased Vimal Negi on March 18. She has alleged that her husband has been harassed for the last 06 months specially by Desh Raj, Director (Electric) and Managing Director of Power Corporation,” it added.

“In compliance of the order of Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla, the FIR is being re-registered…and investigation of this case is being entrusted to an SIT…,” the CBI’s FIR stated.