Court orders no HP-cadre official should be attached with CBI team to ensure fair investigation

In a setback to the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, the high court on Friday transferred the probe into the recent death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer-cum-general manager Vimal Negi from the state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

- Shailee Dogra

SHIMLA:

Pronouncing the order, the Himachal Pradesh high court bench of Ajay Mohan Goel directed the CBI to take over the probe from the state police's special investigation team (SIT), led by Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi. The high court ordered that no HP-cadre officer should be attached with the CBI team for a fair investigation.

"In the course of the investigation, the CBI shall ensure that no officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre shall be a part of the special investigation team that may be constituted for investigation. This court hopes and expects that the CBI shall carry out the investigation impartially and as expeditiously as possible," ruled the court.