The family members and colleagues of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Engineer Vimal Negi, who died under suspicious circumstances, have called off their protest after the police registered an FIR against HPPCL Managing Director Hrikesh Meena and Director Deshraj.
Director Deshraj has already been suspended, and the deceased engineer’s body is now being taken to his native village in Kinnaur for the last rites, according to Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
Earlier, Negi’s family, relatives, and HPPCL employees staged a large-scale protest, demanding justice and immediate action against senior officials allegedly responsible for exerting undue pressure on the engineer, leading to his untimely death.
The demonstrators blocked the main road leading to New Shimla for over eight hours, insisting on:
- Suspension of HPPCL MD Hrikesh Meena and Director Deshraj
- A CBI investigation into the case
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, along with BJP legislators, visited the protest site to meet Negi’s grieving family.
Expressing deep sorrow, Thakur said, “This is tragic. He was an honest officer, and his family and colleagues say the same. The government must answer—what kind of pressure was he under? Why was he being pushed so much? Today, we have lost him.”
He further emphasized the need for a transparent investigation, saying, “Is this a murder or suicide? The family has named three officials, and action must be taken. Transfers are not enough. A life has been lost, and we demand their suspension.”
Jairam Thakur also stated that the issue had been raised in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for the past three days. He accused the government of mishandling the case and supported the family’s demand for a CBI probe.
“The family wants a CBI inquiry, and we fully support it. We will fight for justice in the Assembly, and if needed, take this matter to the Governor and the Central Government,” he added.
The BJP has assured the family of full support, urging them to submit a written request for a CBI probe, which will be escalated to higher authorities.
