Supreme Court Slams CBI in Vimal Negi Probe, Makes Bail Protection for Accused Absolute

Overview

• A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra castigated the CBI team as "absolutely bogus officers" and questioned their fitness for service.
• The order directs that if Desh Raj is arrested or surrenders within three weeks, he must be released on bail subject to conditions, with any lack of cooperation risking cancellation.
• The bench rejected the CBI's claim of non-cooperation, noting the accused's right to remain silent as counsel said questioning focused on projects rather than abetment to suicide.
• After reviewing a sealed report from the CBI, the court returned it without comment because the probe is ongoing, and it flagged the ASG's disclosure that a pen drive recovered earlier was destroyed.
• Negi, an HPPCL officer, was alleged by his family to have faced pressure and mental harassment from senior officials including MD Harikesh Meena and Desh Raj, leading to an FIR and a High Court-ordered CBI investigation.