Stalemate persists in IPS officer suicide case, SIT in Rohtak for further probe

Even though Chandigarh Police invoked the stringent Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act in the case late on Saturday —meeting Y Puran Kumar family’s demand for amendment to the FIR — the suicide case has seen little movement. The family continued its protest against the UT police and the Haryana Government, with yet another day passing without the post-mortem or last rites of the deceased IPS officer.

However, the police issued an update on the investigation around 8.30 pm. “A team of SIT is in Rohtak since October 11 for further investigation into the case. Letters have been sent to the Government of Haryana to provide documents required for investigation. In furtherance of investigation of case FIR 156/25, PS-11, a request letter was sent to the complainant, requesting her to come forward for identification of the body for conduct of PME (post-mortem examination) at the earliest, which is essential for speedy investigation,” the statement read.

As far as the Rohtak police are concerned, a source confirmed that documents were demanded by the SIT from Chandigarh on Saturday and that all necessary papers were being compiled to be submitted at the earliest for further investigation.

Meanwhile, a meeting was convened by the Chandigarh SIT headed by IGP Pushpendra Kumar, which continued late into the night. Even as the family refused to allow the post-mortem and last rites for another day, the UT police maintained tight security around both the Advanced Anatomy Centre (AAC) at the PGIMER and the cremation ground in Sector 25.

Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur visited the Sector 24 residence of the late officer to persuade the family. She also inspected the AAC premises twice to ensure that security arrangements remained intact. Following tense moments on Saturday over the shifting of the body from the GMSH to the PGIMER without the family’s permission, the UT police are treading cautiously to ensure that family sentiments are not further hurt by any miscommunication.

Till the filing of the report, the police had maintained that the family remained firm on its demands — primarily the arrest of Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor and ousted Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, among others — and has not yet given consent for the post-mortem examination. The cops reiterated that the post-mortem could be conducted only after the family’s consent and in accordance with due legal procedure.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora met the bereaved family. He called the incident “a grave loss to society” and condemned the “culture of impunity” under the BJP rule. Drawing parallels with the recent attack on Chief Justice BR Gavai, Arora said, “When even constitutional authorities are not spared, it shows how deep-rooted this disregard for justice has become.”

Condolences, support pour in

Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Governor of Haryana, paid his condolences to the family at their Sector 24 residence today. Haryana CID chief ADGP Saurabh Singh also visited the house.

Jannayak Janta Party chief Ajay Chautala urged a “high-level, impartial inquiry,” noting that the family’s statements were yet to be recorded despite an FIR.

Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring visited the bereaved family to offer his condolences. Calling the incident “deeply unfortunate and incomprehensible”, Warring criticised the Chandigarh Police for its “inaction despite the suicide note”. He alleged that the police were working under government pressure and denying the family its rightful justice. Warring said he had spoken to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, both of whom expressed concern, and announced that the Congress would hold district-level candle marches across Punjab.

AAP MLA Kulwant Singh called the IPS officer’s death “a terrible loss to the family as well as society”.

AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda accused the Haryana Government of failing to act even six days after the officer’s suicide, calling it a “reflection of BJP’s anti-Dalit mindset”. He said the delay in arresting senior officials named in the suicide note had “shattered the family’s faith in justice”. He blamed Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini for “lacking courage and political will”.

Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said the BJP’s governance had become synonymous with “rising atrocities and denial of justice for Dalits”.