CBI Arrests ASI Pankaj Sharma in Vimal Negi Death Case: Court Grants 24-Hour Custody Amid Legal Battles
In a major update on the mysterious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) brought Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj Sharma before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Shimla on Monday. The arrest has sparked fresh controversy in this high-profile case that’s gripped Himachal Pradesh.
Sharma, a key figure in the probe, got picked up by CBI officials from Ghumarwin on Sunday afternoon around noon. They first presented him late that night at CJM Sandeep Singh Sihag’s residence, where the court ordered one day of police custody. On Monday, CBI pushed for five more days to wrap up paperwork and build their case files. But after listening to arguments from both sides, the judge approved just 24 hours of extra custody. The next hearing is set for Tuesday at 3 pm, when Sharma’s bail plea will also come up.
Sharma’s lawyer, Advocate Piyush Verma, didn’t hold back while talking to reporters. He slammed the CBI’s request for more custody, saying his client has been fully cooperating with the investigation. "Pankaj Sharma got arrested around noon yesterday and faced court late at night for that one-day remand. Today, CBI asked for more time, but we fought it hard and filed a bail application right away," Verma explained.
Verma highlighted a bigger issue: Sharma’s wife had already filed a criminal writ in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. She accused both state police and CBI of illegally detaining her husband since the case switched to CBI on May 23, 2025. According to the petition, Sharma stayed under constant watch—four officers on duty 24/7 and CCTV tracking his every move—ever since the transfer. The High Court stepped in on September 5, ordering his release and free movement, as neither agency needed him for questioning back then.
So, why the sudden arrest now? Verma questioned the timing sharply. "Up to September 5, neither state police nor CBI said they needed Sharma. What’s changed? Even if we take the allegations as true, the worst punishment is seven years in jail. He’s been cooperative and ready to help more—why custody?" He also confirmed that officials informed Sharma’s wife about the arrest as per rules.
To recap the Vimal Negi case: The senior HPPCL engineer vanished on March 10, 2025, in Shimla. His body turned up eight days later on March 18, under shady circumstances. The post-mortem showed he likely died about five days before they found him, hinting he might have been alive until March 13. Himachal Pradesh Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) couldn’t track his movements from March 10 to 14, leading to heavy criticism over probe failures. That’s when the High Court handed the case to CBI on May 23, 2025, pointing out major gaps in the local investigation.
This CBI arrest of ASI Pankaj Sharma on September 14, 2025, counts as the first big break in the Vimal Negi death mystery. Everyone’s watching closely as the court dives into the bail hearing and CBI’s next moves on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more on this developing story from Shimla.
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