The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered evidence that crucial data from a pen drive found during investigation of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Chief Engineer Vimal Negi’s death was deliberately deleted at Shimla Sadar police station. CCTV footage from the station provided concrete evidence of the tampering.
According to the CBI’s investigation report submitted to the court, ASI Pankaj Sharma, who was posted at Shimla Sadar police station, inserted the pen drive into the station’s computer and opened files between 8:07 AM and 8:20 AM on March 21. The CBI alleges that Sharma deliberately destroyed evidence to protect those who instigated Vimal Negi’s suicide.
The pen drive was seized by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on April 15, and forensic examination confirmed the device had been formatted. The CBI stated that multiple individuals were involved in the conspiracy to drive Vimal Negi to suicide.
Evidence tampering and investigation challenges
During custody, the CBI also examined data from ASI Pankaj Sharma’s mobile phone, which revealed several objectionable facts. The agency informed the court that Sharma is not cooperating with the investigation and crucial information is needed about what data was on the pen drive and where he saved it before formatting.
The CBI noted that Sharma has been repeatedly changing his statements. While he agreed in writing to undergo polygraph and narco tests during investigation in Delhi, he refused these tests before the court, appearing to deliberately delay the investigation.
Recovery of evidence and selective disclosure
The CBI investigation revealed that on March 18, between 7-8 AM, fishermen Mahendra Singh and Sunil Kumar spotted the body in the Sutlej river and informed Swarghaat police station. ASI Pankaj Sharma, homeguard Suresh Kumar, and the fishermen reached the spot at 4:30 PM.
Sharma had fisherman Sunil check the pockets and jacket of the deceased. Cash, a pen drive, and a driving license were recovered from the wallet. However, while the cash and license were handed over to Talai police station staff, the pen drive was not provided.
This selective disclosure of evidence and subsequent deletion of data from the pen drive has become a crucial element in the CBI’s investigation into what the agency describes as a conspiracy involving multiple individuals in driving the power corporation engineer to suicide.
