Suicide by IPS officer: Phillaur legislator writes to Shah, seeks fair probe

Phillaur Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary has shot off a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking an impartial and speedy probe in the suicide case of Haryana-cadre IPS officer Y Puran Kumar.

Chaudhary, a Dalit leader, forwarded the letter to the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes too. Chaudhary said Kumar reportedly ended his life as a result of “persistent discrimination, harassment and humiliation”. He said strict and timely action should be taken against those responsible for the incident.

“The circumstances leading to his death and serious allegations made in his suicide note warrant immediate and uncompromising action from the authorities concerned. The incident exposes the harsh reality of caste-based discrimination that continues to plague even the most respected services of our nation,” he said.

“A thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation be conducted into the circumstances surrounding Shri Puran Kumar’s death. All individuals named in his suicide note, regardless of their position or status, be it a serving DGP or a former DGP, must be investigated without fear or favour,” he added in his letter.

He also demanded that none should be spared if found guilty of abetment, discrimination or dereliction of duty.

Chaudhary also raised questions on the effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the light of the incident.

He said the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) must fulfil its constitutional duty to safeguard the interests of the SC community by ensuring swift justice in the case.

“The death of Shri Puran Kumar must not be allowed to fade into silence. It should serve as a turning point to reaffirm our collective commitment to an India free from caste bias and institutional discrimination,” he wrote.