The Punjab & Haryana High Court has pulled up Chandigarh Police over delays in probing IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s suicide. The court demanded a detailed update on the investigation amid growing calls for a CBI inquiry.
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CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the Chandigarh Police to furnish details on the progress of the investigation into the alleged suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, a Haryana-cadre officer who was found dead at his residence on October 7.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the high-profile case. The investigation is currently being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police.
During the hearing, the Bench expressed concern over the slow pace of the probe, asking the Chandigarh Police to clarify the current status.
“You [Chandigarh Police] please tell us what is the latest position in the stage of investigation. Where have you reached, whether you have named somebody or not. It has been more than a month,”
the Court observed.
In response, the counsel for the Chandigarh Administration sought time to seek instructions from authorities. The matter has now been adjourned to Wednesday, November 12, for further hearing.
IPS Officer’s Death and Allegations
IPS officer Y Puran Kumar reportedly shot himself dead at his Chandigarh residence. In his suicide note, Kumar accused several senior officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and then Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, of caste-based discrimination and targeted harassment.
Kumar’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has been actively demanding justice for her late husband, emphasizing that the case highlights systemic caste bias within the police force. The late officer belonged to the Dalit community.
Following widespread outrage and protests, both DGP Kapur and SP Bijarniya were temporarily removed from their posts.
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The controversy deepened after another police officer, Sandeep Lathar, who had previously arrested an aide of Y Puran Kumar in a separate matter, also died by suicide. Lathar reportedly accused Kumar and his family members of corruption and misconduct, adding a new dimension to the ongoing investigation.
PIL Seeks CBI Probe
The PIL seeking a CBI investigation was filed by Navneet Kumar, president of a local NGO. However, the High Court has so far expressed reluctance to transfer the case, noting that the probe is already being handled by a neutral agency, the Chandigarh Police.
The Bench has also questioned whether a charge of abetment to suicide is made out at this stage. The Court has not yet formally admitted the PIL, and no notice has been issued to any respondents so far.
In their submissions, both the Chandigarh Police and the State of Haryana opposed the demand for a CBI inquiry, asserting that there is no substantial evidence necessitating the transfer of the investigation.
The High Court will review the matter again on November 12, 2025, to assess the progress of the SIT’s investigation.
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