Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 1 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government on Saturday, accusing it of deep-rooted corruption and administrative failure.
Addressing the media in Shimla and later speaking to ANI, Thakur demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on moral grounds, particularly in connection with the controversial Vimal Negi case.
“The entire Himachal Pradesh government is drowning in corruption. From massive scams in the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation to liquor scandals worth crores, this government has lost all credibility. The Chief Minister must resign on ethical grounds,” the BJP leader said.
Thakur raised questions over the government’s handling of the Vimal Negi case, specifically targeting former Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi. He accused SP Gandhi of either going rogue against the government or, more worryingly, acting under secret orders from the government itself.
“Is this the first time that an SP is running the government? The CM claims ignorance for two days while SP Gandhi holds a press conference—do you really believe that happened without the CM’s approval?” Thakur remarked.
“I am saying this with full confidence: Gandhi addressed the media only after consulting the CM,” he added.
He also alleged that after SP Gandhi attempted to submit an affidavit and file a petition in court regarding the investigation, the government turned against him.
“Why has no action been taken yet in this case? The people of Himachal want to know. Why is the state resisting a CBI probe? Is the demand for a Special Investigation Team in the High Court Gandhi’s idea alone, or is it the government’s?” Thakur asked.
Thakur claimed the state government is visibly shaken after the High Court directed a CBI probe into the Vimal Negi death case. He further said that several officials fear exposure and potential prosecution.
In the Vimal Negi case, he said there are several unanswered questions, including a missing phone and destroyed evidence.
Thakur referred to the family of Vimal Negi, who have questioned the disappearance of key evidence—particularly his mobile phone, which was reportedly visible in initial recovery photographs of his body but has since gone missing.
He also pointed out contradictions in the government’s statements regarding a formatted pen drive.
“The CM himself accepted that the pen drive, once formatted, has been restored. This proves that an attempt was made to destroy evidence,” he added.
He alleged that digital evidence, such as the pen drive handed to the police, had been ignored or rejected under political pressure.
“There is no law and order left in Himachal. The CM has lost control. He and his officers are registering false cases to suppress dissent,” said the BJP leader.
Jai Ram Thakur accused the government of launching politically motivated cases against journalists, elected panchayat representatives, and opposition leaders.
“We ended this culture of vendetta during our five years in power. But now, even minor incidents are being used to file cases against journalists and leaders. What does the CM think he will gain by doing all this?” Thakur asked.
Thakur dismissed the Chief Minister’s recent statements suggesting that the government would have ordered a CBI probe if the family had requested it earlier. He further accused the CM of repeatedly lying both inside and outside the Assembly.
He also alleged that the government is not cooperating with the CBI probe and is withholding documents required by the investigating agency.
Thakur questioned whether SP Sanjeev Gandhi’s appearance in court—where he claimed he acted after consulting the CM—was without top-level consent.
“If an SP refers to the CM by name in court and claims to have discussed the matter before taking action, why is the government denying it?” he asked.
“It’s clear the government is trying to ensure that no substantial evidence reaches the CBI. They are trying to shield specific officers. But the law will prevail—neither Gandhi nor anyone else will decide that; only the court will,” he further added.
Thakur cited the Phekuwela solar project as a prime example of corruption under the current government, saying, “The Phekuwela solar project stands as a monument to corruption. There are numerous such incidents across the state. Yesterday, it was revealed that Shesh Mishra’s liquor factory had been running illegally for two years. Police recovered 4 lakh high-end stickers from the site—how is this even possible?”
He added, “The Chief Minister must resign. If he cannot handle the responsibility, he should step aside. There is honor in acknowledging one’s limitations. The people around him know that he is no longer in control. The bureaucracy has made it clear—’we will do what we want, regardless of the CM.’ That is the reality.”
Vimal Negi, an engineer with the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), had joined the corporation on June 15, 2024. Just two weeks later, on July 1, 2024, he was reportedly under stress and receiving medical treatment for anxiety.
Vimal Negi went missing on March 10, and his body was recovered ten days later. His family and colleagues had earlier raised concerns about pressure at the workplace. After days of protest and search efforts led by IG Gyaneshwar Thakur, his body was finally recovered, leading to widespread outrage and demands for justice.
However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the state police, failed to provide any clarity about his whereabouts between March 10 and 14, raising serious questions about the credibility of the investigation. (ANI)
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