Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, September 15
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made its first arrest in the case of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer Vimal Negi’s mysterious death case. Suspended Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj Sharma was arrested by the CBI on Sunday afternoon in Ghumarwin, Bilaspur district. He is accused of tampering with key evidence, including a pen drive and laptop belonging to Negi.
Sources said Panaj Sharma had earlier been questioned multiple times and was found to have taken possession of digital devices linked to the case. He allegedly deleted files and hid a pen drive recovered from Negi’s body, despite not being part of the official investigation team. The CBI, which had raided Sharma’s home recently, recovered documents it described as vital to the probe. He will be produced before a court for remand.
Negi, who went missing on March 10 from HPPCL headquarters in New Shimla, and was found dead eight days later on the banks of Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur. His family alleged harassment by HPPCL’s top management, leading the Himachal Pradesh High Court to hand the case to the CBI.
The agency has questioned more than 90 people so far, including Negi’s wife, Kiran, and his brother, Surender. Former HPPCL Managing Director Harikesh Meena and Director Deshraj were previously arrested but later released on bail.
In a controversial decision, the Himachal Pradesh government reinstated Deshraj to his earlier post as Chief Engineer in the state electricity board during the ongoing investigation.
The CBI has registered the case under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
