Himachal Pradesh govt transfers 3rd HPPCL official amid probe into GM Vimal Negi’s death

Shimla: Nearly 20 days after Vimal Negi, general manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), was found dead, the hill state's govt on Tuesday acted against a third official of the corporation.
Amid an ongoing investigation into Negi's death, the state govt has transferred HPPCL director (personnel and finance) Shivam Pratap Singh. Naresh Thakur has been handed the additional charge of the post, while Pratap Singh will now continue to head the state rural livelihood mission as its chief executive officer.
The state govt had earlier transferred the then director (electrical) of HPPCL, Desh Raj, and managing director Harikesh Meena after Negi's death. However, Pratap Singh had continued on the post. Desh Raj was also placed under suspension. Negi had been missing since March 10, and his body was recovered from Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur on March 18. His family claimed that he was under immense pressure from his seniors, including these three officers.
As both Desh Raj and Meena approached the court seeking anticipatory bail, they received an interim stay on their arrest. Negi's family members, as well as the opposition BJP, have been demanding a CBI probe into Negi's death and the overall functioning of the corporation.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh leader of opposition (LoP) in assembly Jai Ram Thakur said serious questions were being raised about police action in the suspicious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL) general manager Vimal Negi. He said the family of deceased had levelled serious allegations against govt's investigation, and a candle march was also held to demand a CBI investigation. Thakur said state police could not trace an accused until he was granted bail by the Supreme Court. He questioned the reason for ignoring the demand for a CBI investigation in this case.