Dalit IPS Officer's Suicide: Family Relents, Post Mortem Procedure Begins
Vivek Gupta
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Chandigarh: Days of impasse over late IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar's post mortem seems to have finally ended.
A day after the Haryana government sent Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapur on leave, the family of the deceased officer has finally relented, agreeing to the post mortem.
The procedure has begun at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here and expected to be ended by today afternoon. The cremation will be held at 4 pm today (October 15).
The post mortem was pending ever since Y. Puran Kumar died by suicide on October 7, alleging caste discrimination and humiliation by his senior colleagues.
While the family had withheld permission for the post-mortem citing their pending demands, including the arrest of accused officers, a fresh twist — in which another cop allegedly died by suicide, levelling counter-allegations against Y. Puran Kumar — further complicated the row.
Also read: Dalit IPS Officer's Suicide: ASI Ends Life, Levels Corruption Allegations Against Y. Puran Kumar
Chandigarh police also moved the local court seeking permission for the post mortem in view of the family's denial, further narrowing options for the officer's family.
Amid assurances from both the BJP government in Haryana and its allies, the family has finally agreed to allow the post-mortem.
Have full faith in judiciary: Amneet P. Kumar
Releasing a statement, IAS officer and the deceased officer's wife, Amneet P. Kumar, stated that in view of the assurance extended by the Chandigarh police for conducting a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation, and the commitment conveyed by the Haryana government to take appropriate action against any erring officials in due course of law, she has consented to the conduct of the post-mortem examination of her deceased husband.
She added, "Considering the evidentiary importance of a timely post-mortem and in the larger interest of justice, I have agreed for the same to be carried out as per prescribed procedure, by the constituted board of doctors, with the presence of a ballistic expert, under the supervision of a magistrate, and with videography of the entire process to ensure complete transparency."
According to her, she has full faith in the judiciary and the police authorities, and "I sincerely hope that the investigation will be conducted in a professional, impartial, and time-bound manner, so that the truth emerges in accordance with law."
"My full cooperation shall continue to be extended to the investigating team so that the process is expedited and justice is served at the earliest," she added.
As per the latest information security has been visibly tightened at PGIMER with IGP Pushpendra Kumar, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, Sector 11 SHO Jaiveer Rana, and PGI Police Post in-charge Babita are personally overseeing the arrangements.
The family has reached PGI for identification of the deceased's body.
Commenting on the development, Mukesh Kumar of 31-member Y. Puran Kumar Nyay Manch told The Wire that the committee respects the family's decision. But their fight for the justice for the deceased officer would continue in support of the family, he added.
If you know someone – a friend or a family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.
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