What is the row over Himachal engineer’s death that led to criticism of state govt?
The death of HPPCL (Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited) chief engineer Vimal Negi has led to a fierce row in the state of Himachal Pradesh, with the government facing heavy criticism over the circumstances surrounding his death. Negi’s family has alleged that he was subjected to workplace harassment linked to a ₹220 crore project, which he was overseeing as the chief engineer. The BJP has also raised questions over the investigation into his death, alleging irregularities and a lack of impartiality.
The controversy began when Negi’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his residence in Shimla on November 12, 2022. The police initially ruled out foul play, but Negi’s family has disputed this, alleging that he was being harassed over the project and was under immense pressure to deliver the results.
The project in question is a major one, worth ₹220 crore, and involves the development of a power transmission system in the state. Negi’s family has claimed that he was being targeted by some individuals who were opposed to the project, and that he had been subjected to verbal and physical abuse by some of his colleagues.
The family has also alleged that Negi had been complaining of harassment and intimidation to his superiors and the state government, but that no action was taken to address his concerns. In a statement, Negi’s family said, “Vimal was a hardworking and dedicated officer, but he was being harassed and intimidated by some individuals because of the project. We demand a fair and impartial investigation into his death.”
The BJP has also piled on the pressure, with the party’s spokesperson, Suresh Kashyap, saying that the investigation into Negi’s death was “shoddy” and that there were “serious irregularities” in the way it was conducted. Kashyap alleged that the police had not conducted a thorough investigation and had relied on “insufficient evidence” to conclude that Negi’s death was a suicide.
The controversy has led to a major crisis for the state government, with the opposition parties demanding a CBI inquiry into Negi’s death. The High Court has now transferred the case to the CBI, citing a lack of impartiality in the investigation.
The case has also highlighted the issue of workplace harassment, which is a major concern in India. The government has been accused of not taking adequate steps to prevent harassment and protect employees who are facing such issues.
The HPPCL has also come under fire for its handling of the situation. The company has been accused of not taking adequate steps to address Negi’s concerns and of not providing adequate support to his family.
In a statement, the HPPCL said, “The company is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Vimal Negi. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and are committed to ensuring that the truth behind his death is revealed.”
The controversy has also led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in the state government. The opposition parties have demanded that the government come clean on the circumstances surrounding Negi’s death and that it take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case of Vimal Negi’s death is a tragic one, and it highlights the need for greater awareness and action on the issue of workplace harassment. The state government and the HPPCL must take immediate steps to address the concerns of Negi’s family and to ensure that justice is served.
As the investigation into Negi’s death continues, it is clear that there are many questions that still need to be answered. Why was Negi subjected to workplace harassment? Was he being targeted because of his work on the project? And why did the police investigation into his death appear to be so shoddy?
Only a thorough and impartial investigation can provide the answers to these questions. The people of Himachal Pradesh deserve to know the truth behind Negi’s death, and the government must take steps to ensure that justice is served.
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