'Why the rush over post-mortem': IPS officer's wife blasts Chandigarh Police for 'undignified' handling of body

Perturbed over the "rush created by the Chandigarh Police” in carrying out the post-mortem of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, his wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, in an exclusive interview to The Tribune, lashed out at the police, alleging that they "did not show any dignity" in handling the body.

"The Chandigarh police have shown no dignity towards my deceased husband, who belonged to the Dalit community. I agreed to the post-mortem but clearly stated that the children would pay their last respects to their father before the body was taken away for the process. However, in complete disregard, the police took away the body from the hospital for the formalities despite the absence of any family member," the officer alleged.

Maintaining that she was a Dalit widow who was being denied dignity in handling her husband's body, she said, "The onus is now on the Chandigarh Police. Let them do what they want with the body if the consent of the family is so irrelevant. I have maintained dignity by keeping quiet till now. However, this is now going completely out of hand. What was the rush? Let the Chandigarh Police explain their conduct," she alleged, visibly agitated.

New inputs: Rohtak SP replaced; development in line with family's demands

Sonia Gandhi writes to late IPS officer’s wife

"Crucial evidence may have been destroyed in transferring the body from the Sector 16 hospital to the PGI where the post-mortem has to be conducted. The Chandigarh Police will be responsible for any lapses," she said.

When contacted, Chandigarh Police DGP Sagar Preet Hooda admitted that there had been a communication gap. "There was a communication gap. We will not proceed with the post-mortem till the family gives its consent. The SSP is accompanying the body and the process will begin only once the family gives a go-ahead," he said.

Though the body has been taken to PGI, the post-mortem is yet to begin.

Chief Principal Secretary to CM Rajesh Khullar reaches out

After IAS officer Amneet raised her concerns, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister (CPSCM) Rajesh Khullar has reached out to her. Sources maintain he has been holding talks with the family in an attempt to convince them to proceed with the post-mortem. However, the family has expressed its displeasure over the manner in which the body was taken to the PGI.

Related news: IPS officer Puran Kumar's family agrees on post-mortem 4 days after death, cremation likely today

Chandigarh Police form SIT in Haryana IPS officer’s suicide case