'No matter how influential...': Haryana CM's first reaction to Dalit IPS officer's death by suicide

Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar named several top officers in his "final note", accusing them of caste-based discrimination and harassment

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday addressed senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's alleged suicide and condoled his death as an “unfortunate incident”, assuring strict action and justice to the deceased policeman's family.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini paid floral tributes to senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh on Thursday. (HT Photo)

Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar allegedly died by suicide on October 7 and named several top officers in his "final note", accusing them of caste-based discrimination and harassment.

Chandigarh Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapur and 10 others for abetting suicide of IGP Y Puran Kumar. This came after Kumar's wife, IAS Amneet P Kumar, and family demanded that an FIR be registered in the IPS officer's death, saying they won't allow the autopsy and cremation until the case is lodged.

Speaking at the BJP state executive meeting in Panchkula, Saini paid tribute to the late officer with a two-minute silence and called his death "an unfortunate incident" and a "very tragic accident". He said that Kumar's bereaved family has sought justice and assured them a complete and fair investigation.

"No matter how influential the culprit, they won't be spared. Our government will work to deliver justice if an injustice has been done to the family. A thorough investigation will be conducted in this matter, and if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken against them," CM Saini said.

Saini affirmed that he is in constant touch with the central government for a solution in this matter.

He recalled how he received the news of the officer's death while the CM was in Japan, saying that he immediately consoled Puran Kumar's wife Amneet and sent officials to their residence to assist the family.

Amneet Kumar is the commissioner and secretary of the Haryana government's Department of Foreign Cooperation. She was also in Japan as part of the delegation led by Saini at the time of her husband's death.

The CM's assurance of a thorough probe and justice comes at a time when the IPS officer's demise has drawn significant political attention. CM Saini also warned that there "should be no politics on such issues".

The Chandigarh Police on Friday set up a six-member special investigation team (SIT) to ensure a "prompt, impartial and thorough investigation" into the alleged suicide of the IPS officer.

The SIT, led by Chandigarh IG Pushpendra Kumar, will also comprise Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, SP City KM Priyanka, DSP Charanjit Singh Virk, SDPO (South) Gurjit Kaur and SHO of Sector 11 police station (West), Jaiveer Rana, as members, HT reported earlier.

“The SIT shall investigate all aspects of FIR No 156/2025, including evidence collection, witness examination, take expert opinions, legal advice, etc in a time-bound manner and preparation of final report upon completion,” it added.

Y Puran Kumar, 52, a 2001-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was found dead with a gunshot wound in a room in the basement of his Sector 11 house in Chandigarh.

The note left behind by Kumar named 11 serving and retired officers, including Shatrujeet Kapur (Haryana DGP), Amitabh Dhillon (ADGP, 1997 batch), Sanjay Kumar (ADGP, 1997 batch), Pankaj Nain (IGP, 2007 batch), Kala Ramachandran, (IPS, 1994 batch), Sandeep Khirwar (then CP Gurugram, 1995 batch) Sibash Kabiraj (then JCP Gurugram, 1999 batch), Manoj Yadava (former DGP, 1988 batch), PK Agrawal (former DGP) and Narendra Bijarniya (Rohtak SP), and TVSN Prasad, former chief secretary. He accused them of targeted mental harassment, humiliation, and caste-based discrimination.

On Saturday, several Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala, Deependra Hooda, and Kumari Selja, visited the late IPS officer's residence. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, Azad Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar and Chandigarh DGP were among those who went to Kumar's residence.

BJP leader and Haryana transport minister Anil Vij also visited late IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's home to pay respects.