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Abetment to suicide case: HC denies pre-arrest bail to HPPCL director
Himachal HC says granting relief to application will have an ‘adverse impact’ on staffers’ ability to speak up against their superior
The Himachal Pradesh high court on Wednesday dismissed the anticipatory bail filed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) director (Electrical) Desh Raj, named as an accused in the abetment to suicide case registered over death of HPPCL chief engineer-cum-general manager Vimal Negi.
In case relief is granted to the applicant, it will cause an adverse impact upon his subordinates’ (ability) to speak against their superior officer. Mere transfer of the applicant is not sufficient to create a sense of security among the persons who will be inquired, justice Virender Singh said while dismissing the plea.
According to police, accused Desh Raj is absconding.
“Even otherwise, custodial interrogation is more result-oriented than the investigation from a person...,” the order added.
The court observed that the investigating agency’s (police) apprehensions were ‘not unfounded’ at this stage of the probe and the case was not such that applicant Desh Raj was a target of some mala fide intentions.
Police sought dismissal of the bail plea, apprehending that Desh Raj ‘may evade investigation if relief is granted’. Police submitted that Desh Raj had not reported to his office and was absconding.
Police said that granting relief to Desh Raj will give an ‘erroneous message to the material witnesses and other accomplices’ in the alleged crime, who may feel ‘discouraged or intimidated’.
According to the police, the investigation so far corroborates the allegations of mental harassment and undue work pressure.
The state government had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident and filed a status report in the high court.
The report said that one Rajiv Thakur, personal assistant to Desh Raj, on March 23 disclosed to investigating agency that the deceased ‘was under significant stress due to the extension of time for Pekhubela Project’. The status report pointed out that Thakur has ‘not fully disclosed’ all the material facts.
The 32 MW Pekhubela solar power project, developed by HPPCL in Una district, was inaugurated in June last year. Across 49 hectares, it was completed at a cost of ₹220 crore.
The status report said the statements of the witnesses ‘prima facie corroborate allegations of mental harassment and overwork’.
As per the report, biometric attendance records confirm that the deceased was compelled to remain in the office until midnight and work over ten hours every day.
Police registered a case of abetment to suicide on March 22 after a complaint by Kiran Negi, wife of deceased Vimal Negi. Vimal’s body was found in Bhakra Dam, Bilaspur.
She alleged that Vimal’s was being mentally tortured over the past six months, and his superiors misbehaved with him. She named Desh Raj and HPPCL managing director in the complaint.
