Congress seeks probe into IPS officer’s death, takes out candle march in Karnal

Congress workers and leaders on Thursday demanded a judicial and impartial probe into the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, which they described as the “forced suicide” of a Dalit officer, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in the basement of his private residence in Chandigarh, on October 7. The 2001-batch Haryana-cadre officer’s wife, Amneet P Kumar, a senior IAS officer, has sought the registration of an FIR on her complaint accusing Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia.

Congress leaders and workers held a candle march in the city, raising slogans against the state government and demanding strict action against the accused. Besides, the protesters highlighted two other issues — the alleged incident of a Dalit’s murder in Uttar Pradesh, and the shoe-hurling incident targeting the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

District urban president Parag Gaba said, “The situation in the state has become alarming. Law and order have completely deteriorated. We demand a fair and independent judicial investigation into the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar.”

Rural district president Rajesh Vaid said, “No one in the state feels safe or satisfied under the present government. The atmosphere of fear and injustice must end. He highlighted how a Dalit person was killed in UP over praising Rahul Gandhi.

Former MLA (Assandh) Shamsher Singh Gogi said the rising atrocities against the Dalits show the government’s complete failure. “Justice must prevail in IPS officer suicide case, and those responsible must face strict punishment. Only a judicial probe can ensure it,” he added.Former MLA Sumita Singh condemned the incidents, saying, “The present regime has lost the trust of the people. Every section of society, especially the Dalits are under pressure and harassment.”Former Deputy Mayor Manoj Wadhwa joined the protest, emphasising that “the Congress will continue to raise its voice until justice is served.”

Congress leader Tajinder Mann, who lives in the USA, demanded a judicial probe into the death of an IPS officer and said that atrocities on the Dalits should be stopped