Dalit IPS Officer's 'Suicide': Family Says SC/ST Act Diluted in FIR, Names of Accused 'Not Clear'
Chandigarh: Not satisfied with the FIR lodged last night by the Chandigarh police against top cops of Haryana under abetment to suicide and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the family of the deceased IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar has sought changes in the FIR on Friday (October 10).
In a letter to the Chandigarh senior superintendent of police (SSP), IAS officer and Puran Kumar 's wife Amneet P. Kumar, underlined that the names of the accused persons are not "mentioned clearly" in the FIR and the "document lacks the necessary details required for a fair and transparent investigation".
Referring to her complaint submitted on October 8, Amneet mentioned that as per her complaint, the names of two accused — Shatrujeet Kapur (Haryana DGP) and Narendra Bijarniya (Rohtak SP) — have not been entered in the FIR.
On Thursday night, the Chandigarh police mentioned in a statement that an FIR was registered against all the officers named in Puran Kumar's suicide note under relevant sections of the BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Chandigarh police also added that further investigation was underway.
In Puran Kumar's suicide note, he had named 11 top cops of Haryana including current Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) for his death. On October 7, he died by suicide using his service revolver at his private residence in Chandigarh.
The deceased officer's wife, however, pointed out that as per the prescribed FIR format, the names of all the accused should be clearly listed under column number seven, which was not followed. “It is therefore requested that the FIR be amended to accurately reflect the names of all accused individuals in the proper section."
In her letter, Amneet also underlined that "diluted sections of the SC/ST Act should be amended". "The section mentioned under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the FIR is diluted. The appropriate section applicable in this case is Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as amended. The sections must be added accordingly to ensure the correct legal provisions are applied."
Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, states that anyone who commits an offence solely because the victim is a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) is punishable with life imprisonment and a fine.
Further, she wrote that two copies of the "final note" (suicide note) recovered by the police — from the pocket of the deceased and another from a laptop bag — has not been provided to her yet to "compare with the version referenced in the FIR".
Amneet mentioned in her complaint to the Chandigarh police on October 8 that her husband's death was not a case of ordinary suicide but a direct result of systematic persecution of her husband — an officer from SC community by powerful and high-ranking officers who have used their positions to "mentally torture him" which lead to his death.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked for an action-taken report from Chandigarh cops.
Clamour growing
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana has come under intense public scrutiny as the suicide has triggered outrage across the country. From Dalit organisations to senior opposition leaders, all are demanding swift action.
In a post on X, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said: "The suicide of Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar is a symbol of the deepening social poison that is crushing humanity in the name of caste. When an IPS officer faces humiliation and injustice due to his caste, imagine what an ordinary Dalit must go through."
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also wrote that BJP's "Manuwadi system has become a curse for the SC, ST, OBC, and weaker sections of this country".
“The news of the forced suicide of Haryana's senior Dalit IPS officer, ADGP Y. Puran Kumar, is not only shocking but also a horrifying testimony to social injustice, inhumanity, and insensitivity, Kharge said.
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded an independent inquiry.
In a post on X, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal questioned, "Dalit IPS officer from Haryana, Puran Kumar ji, faced so much harassment due to his caste that he took his own life. The guilty must be given the harshest punishment as soon as possible. When a shoe was thrown at the Chief Justice of the country, their trolls on social media are insulting Dalits, even abusing Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Where have these people brought India today?"
Haryana Civil Services Officers Association also wrote to Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini demanding speedy action in this case and suggested that it was "absolutely necessary to temporarily remove the accused officers from positions of power to alleviate apprehension of undue influence over junior ranking investigating officers".
As Saini held multiple meetings and even met the family of the deceased officer, there was speculation yesterday (October 9) that the Haryana government might send the state DGP on long leave and appoint an officiating DGP in his place. However, no orders in this regard had been issued yet.
Family demands suspension and arrests
In a strongly worded letter to the chief minister, Amneet has demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of all the individuals named in the late IPS officer's suicide note.
The letter sought lifelong security and protection for the bereaved family, citing threats from “powerful high-ranking officials” allegedly involved in the case. Amneet described her husband as a decorated and honest police officer who served the state with integrity and was a recipient of the president’s medal for meritorious service.
The letter highlighted his significant contribution to the Scheduled Caste community, portraying him as a “symbol of empowerment and justice.”
Calling the incident a test of faith in justice and equality, the letter emphasised that swift intervention is necessary to restore public trust and deliver justice to the family of the late officer.
Expressing anguish over official inaction, the IAS officer also alleged that senior Haryana police and administrative officials were trying to influence the Chandigarh police, preventing any progress in the case.
The letter further warns of attempts by “high-ranking powerful officials” to malign or intimidate the deceased’s family.
This article was updated at 3.17 pm on October 10, 2025 to highlight the letter written by the deceased officer's wife.
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