Himachal SP accuses state DGP of derailing Vimal Negi death probe

A major controversy has erupted within the Himachal Pradesh Police after Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi made serious allegations against the state’s Director General of Police, Dr Atul Verma, and the Chief Secretary. Gandhi accused them of obstructing the investigation into the mysterious death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi and attempting to derail sensitive cases using fabricated evidence and administrative pressure.

Gandhi claimed that the DGP submitted misleading affidavits in court and handpicked officers to manipulate the Negi case. He alleged that the DGP’s staff leaked a confidential CID letter and tried to pressure junior officers into filing false reports in other unrelated incidents. He said despite informing the state government and Advocate General, no corrective steps were taken, forcing him to consider a Letters Patent Appeal.

The SP also accused the Chief Secretary of influencing another case involving a land dispute linked to Ramakrishna Ashram. He said he was pressured to stop questioning the Ashram’s head, but he refused to bow to any political or bureaucratic coercion. Gandhi believes he is being targeted for flagging irregularities during the 2021–22 police recruitment drive.

Adding fuel to the fire, BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma shared a court video allegedly questioning Gandhi’s conduct. The SP hit back, accusing Sharma of defamation and connecting him to alleged horse trading during the 2023 Rajya Sabha polls. The Vimal Negi case has now been transferred to the CBI on court orders amid growing concerns over the credibility of the state police investigation.