Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks update from Chandigarh Police on probe into Puran Kumar IPS suicide

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Monday sought details from Chandigarh Police about the progress of investigation into the suicide of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Y Puran Kumar.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Haryana cadre officer's death.

The case is currently being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police.

During today's hearing of the PIL, the Court said,

"You [Chandigarh Police] please tell us what is the latest position in the stage of investigation. Where have you reached, whether you have named someday or not. It has been more than a month."

Following the Court's query, a counsel representing the Chandigarh Administration sought a short adjournment to seek instructions. The Court then listed the matter for hearing on Wednesday, November 12.

Kumar had shot himself dead at his residence in Chandigarh on October 7. In his suicide note, he blamed various officers including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and then Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya for caste-based discrimination and targeted harassment. Kumar's wife is senior IAS officer Amneet P Kumar. She has been at the forefront demanding justice for her husband, who was from the Dalit community.

Following a public hue and cry, both DGP Kapur and Bijarniya were temporarily removed from their positions.

Adding to the controversy, another police official Sandeep Lathar, who had arrested an aide of Kumar in another case, subsequently died by suicide. He is stated to have leveled corruption charges against Kumar and also blamed the IPS officer's family members.

The PIL for a CBI probe has been filed by one Navneet Kumar, who is the President of an NGO. However, the Court has expressed a disinclination to transfer the investigation, observing that the probe is already being handled by a neutral agency (Chandigarh Police).

During the last hearing, the Court had questioned whether the charge of abetment of suicide was made out in the case. It is also yet to formally entertain the PIL - no notice has been issued to any of the respondent-authorities till date.

In response to the PIL, Chandigarh Police has submitted that there was no material to warrant the transfer of the probe. State of Haryana has also opposed the PIL.