In a significant attempt to manage political fallout over the death of a Chief Engineer in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government has placed key officials — Director General of Police (DGP) Atul Verma, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma, and Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi — on leave citing “indiscipline.”

This move follows the High Court’s directive for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the death of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer, whose family accused senior officials of harassment and abetment to suicide. The body of the late engineer, Negi, was found at Bhakra Dam on March 18 after he had gone missing on March 10.

DGP Verma, due to retire on May 31, was replaced by Ashok Tiwari, currently heading the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Sharma has been stripped of his portfolios, and Shimla’s SP Gandhi, who had earlier accused DGP staff of drug syndicate links, was heading the Special Investigating Team (SIT) but now placed on leave.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu criticized the BJP for politicizing the case, assuring cooperation with the CBI probe and stating the government will not challenge the High Court’s decision. The court ordered the CBI investigation be free of state police involvement to ensure impartiality.

The victim’s wife, Kiran Negi, had petitioned for the CBI probe, dissatisfied with the SIT’s partial investigation. Conflicting affidavits from officials and withheld reports raised further doubts about the fairness of the inquiry.

BJP leaders condemned the government for obstructing justice through multiple investigative panels.

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