Shimla, May 26 – In a clear sign of damage control, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday here today announced that the state government will not challenge the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s order for a CBI probe into the Vimal Negi mysterious death case.
“We respect the High Court’s decision and will fully cooperate. There will be no appeal,” Sukhu said, signaling a retreat from earlier resistance as demonstrated by the postering of the SP Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi, " considered by many as "man Friday of CM Sukhu" that gave him courage to take on the authority of his top boss, DGP.
But the CM has yet to answer as to what will be the fate of the letter that SP Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi has given it in writing to the Director, CBI that they are going in appeal against the High court order?
With mounting pressure from the public and a resurgent BJP using the case as a political battering ram, the Congress government appears to be stepping back to defuse the growing unrest.
The CM’s announcement comes days after the High Court transferred the sensitive case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, citing lack of faith in the local police machinery.
‘Justice Will Prevail, But Let Law Take Its Course’
As political temperatures soared, Sukhu accompanied by his ministers-Anirudh Singh, Dr Shandil, Rajesh Dharmani, MLAs Harish Janartha, Sanjay Awasthi and others while taking on the charge against BJP leaders Harsh Mahajan, Jai Ram Thakur.
Accusing the BJP of launching a “trial by media,” he warned that sensationalism was undermining the dignity of the grieving family and the legal process.
“This is not a political campaign, it’s a young engineer’s death. BJP is using grief for gain,” Sukhu lashed out during a press conference, urging everyone to let law—not slogans—prevail.
The government had earlier taken flak for the delay in action against officials named in a pen drive found after Vimal’s death.
While an FIR was lodged and internal probes ordered, questions remained about why it took months for the case to move forward—especially when harassment allegations were clearly documented.
‘No One Is Above the Law, Not Even Top Cops’
CM tried to reassure the public that no officer—whether SP or DGP—will be shielded if found guilty. “We aren’t here to protect anyone.
The pen drive has been sent for forensic recovery. Let the facts come out,” he stated.
However, critics say this sudden shift in tone—from defending officers to promising accountability—shows the government is now in firefighting mode rather than leading the charge for justice.
BJP Accused of Political Exploitation
In a strong counterattack, Sukhu accused former CM Jai Ram Thakur and the BJP of weaponizing the case for electoral gain.
“Where was BJP when Vimal went missing? Now they want to own his grief in death. They’re misleading people, twisting facts, and playing to the gallery.”
The Congress also took exception to the High Court’s directive that no Himachali officer be involved in the probe, calling it a sweeping generalization.
“Are local judges or doctors also to be excluded now? This is dangerous thinking,” he said, defending the integrity of state institutions.
A Tragedy Wrapped in Politics
What began as a man’s family desperate cry for justice has now spiraled into a political slugfest.
With CBI now at the helm, the stakes are high—not just for the grieving Negi family, but also for a government trying to regain lost ground and an opposition smelling blood ahead of elections.
As the mudslinging continues, Vimal Negi’s death remains a stark reminder—that when the system fails the living, politics often takes over the dead.
It is now over to CBI to unravel the entire Can of worms and bringing the culprits and corrupt officials and politicians to justice by probing every details of under the table deals in 32 MW Pekhubela solar project and Shongtong hydropower project, as hanky panky deals in these projects involving top bureaucrats were reasons that pushed upright officer Negi to brink.
#JusticeForVimalNegi #CBIProbeHimachal #SukhuUnderPressure #PoliticsOverJustice
