Shimla, April 24: Engineers, employees, pensioners and citizens of Himachal Pradesh on Friday gathered at Kumar House and Vidyut Bhawan and warned the government and CBI to expedite justice in the Vimal Negi case, saying any further delay would trigger a wider agitation across the state.
The protest, organised to mark “Anti-Corruption Day” in memory of late Vimal Negi—former GM and Chief Engineer of HPPCL—revisited the unanswered questions surrounding his disappearance from office in March 2025 and the recovery of his body from Gobind Sagar on March 17. Participants said the case continues to shake the conscience of the engineering fraternity.
Quoting the organisers, convenor Lokesh Thakur said, “This day is not symbolic. It is a reminder of the highest standards of honesty and integrity set by Vimal Negi. We demand that the same values guide the investigation and governance today. The probe must be transparent, time-bound and accountable.”
Co-convenor Hira Lal Verma echoed the concern, stating, “Employees, engineers and pensioners stand united. If justice is delayed any further, it will be seen as denial. We will be compelled to intensify this movement across Himachal Pradesh.”
Speakers flagged the slow pace of the CBI investigation, noting that more than a year has passed without any concrete outcome. This, they said, has deepened resentment among colleagues, family members and civil society. The gathering also raised concerns over reports that one of the suspected individuals, IAS officer H. Meena, has secured a central posting, while another has returned to the power board—moves that protestors said undermine confidence in the system.
Drawing upon earlier reports and ground inputs highlighted by HimBumail, participants pointed to possible administrative pressures and internal fault lines within the power sector that require a thorough and unbiased probe. They insisted that all angles, including alleged workplace stress and harassment, must be investigated.
The protest concluded with a firm warning that if the investigation continues to move at a sluggish pace, the agitation will be escalated.
For the engineering community, the issue is no longer confined to one officer’s death but has grown into a larger fight for accountability, transparency and institutional integrity.
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