Himachal assembly demands CBI probe into engineer's death

The mysterious death of Vimal Negi, the chief engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), has sparked a heated debate in the Himachal assembly. Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP members are demanding a CBI investigation into the case. They are also questioning how the corporation is being managed. Thakur proposed an adjournment motion to discuss Negi's death, claiming he faced intense pressure from his superiors. However, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania did not allow the motion, stating that the government had already addressed the situation. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi noted that an FIR has been filed for abetment to suicide against two officers mentioned by Negi's family. He insisted that the incident is being politicized by the opposition. The government has suspended one officer and removed another from their position. The family of the deceased is reportedly satisfied with the government's actions. Still, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma questioned the fairness of an inquiry led by an IAS officer into a case involving another IAS officer. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the government's previous actions and criticized the BJP for not calling for a CBI investigation in a different case during their time in office. The assembly session ended with the BJP staging a walkout in protest. In other news, the assembly mourned the passing of former transport minister Kewal Singh Pathania, who died at the age of 88. He served three terms from the Nurpur and Jawalamukhi constituencies.