Fact-finding probe into HPPCL engineer's death reveals toxic workplace, show-cause notice for casual leave, threat message

Inquiry by a fact-finding committee into allegations raised by the wife of HPPCL chief engineer Vimal Negi that he was being harassed at work has highlighted the humiliation he faced from senior officers, a show-cause notice issued for availing casual leave, a threatening message, and toxic workplace conditions, among others.

- GNS News Agency, June 2

The body of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi, who went missing on March 10, was found on March 18 at Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur district. His wife Kiran had alleged that Negi’s seniors at work had harassed him over the last six months and demanded a CBI probe into his death, a request denied by the state government.

The inquiry conducted by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Onkar Sharma revealed a threatening message sent to Negi —“Aap problem mein aa jaoge (You will land in trouble)” — from the then director (electrical) Desh Raj in February, demanding that he reduce the delay in the Pekhubella Solar Power Project in Una from 45 to 23 days, besides the toxic work conditions for women employees at the HPPCL Corporate Office in New Shimla. Sharma submitted his report before Justice Ajay Mohan Goel of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on May 20. The findings were cited in the court's detailed order dated May 23, in which Justice Goel directed that the police investigation into the matter be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said: “I had asked ACS Onkar Sharma to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations. When the officer submitted the report, I told him to once again confront the officials against whom allegations were raised by HPPCL employees.”