Another Haryana cop shoots himself dead in Rohtak, praises DGP Shatrujeet, ex-SP Bijarniya in video
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
In a disturbing turn of events, two personnel of the Haryana Police have died by apparent suicide within days, each leaving behind allegations that cast a shadow over the force’s internal culture and chain of command.
The first was a senior IPS officer, and the second a junior ASI, both deaths now intertwined by claims of harassment, discrimination, and institutional failure.
The Tragedy of ADGP Y Puran Kumar
On October 7, Y Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer serving as an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in Haryana, was discovered dead from a gunshot wound at his residence in Chandigarh.
The case took a sensational turn when a nine-page “final note” surfaced, in which Kumar accused multiple senior police and administrative officers — including DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and then Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya — of subjecting him to caste-based harassment, professional victimization, public humiliation, and systemic mental torment.
According to the note, Kumar named 16 officers, alleging a pattern of institutional cruelty that had pushed him to the brink.
His spouse, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has strongly contested the FIR filed by the police, claiming it lacks specificity and fails to name the real accused.
In response to mounting public outrage and intense political pressure, the Haryana government took swift steps: DGP Shatrujeet Kapur was placed on leave late on Monday night, while SP Bijarniya was transferred, and Surinder Singh Bhoria was appointed the new SP for Rohtak.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe both the suicide and allegations under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as requested by Kumar’s wife.
The family has refused to consent to the postmortem until the FIR is amended to correctly reflect the accused and harsher charges are invoked.
Political actors and Dalit organizations have escalated their demands for justice. The BSP issued an ultimatum demanding the swift arrest of named officers, while Congress leaders have called for strong oversight and accountability.
Haryana’s Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly pledged that “no one, however influential, will be spared.”
The Second Suicide: ASI Sandeep Kumar (or Sandeep Lathar)
Barely days later, the case took another grim turn. An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) assigned to Rohtak’s cyber cell, known as Sandeep Kumar (also reported as Sandeep Lathar, age ~41), was found dead near a tubewell off the Ladhaut–Dhamar Road in Rohtak. He allegedly shot himself with his service revolver.
Before his death, Sandeep recorded a video message and left a three-page note, in which he made serious allegations. Among them:
- He likened his act to that of Bhagat Singh, saying he did not fear anyone.
- He accused certain officials in the IGP office in Rohtak of spreading corruption, harassing fellow officers, and practicing caste-based discrimination.
- He mentioned the death of Y Puran Kumar, calling him corrupt and suggesting that the deceased officer’s network may have been involved in questionable dealings.
- In one part of his note, Sandeep alleged a ₹50-crore deal linked to a figure named Rao Inderjit, accusing Kumar of manipulating business contracts and criminal linkages.
Rohtak SP Surender Singh Bhoria termed Sandeep a “hardworking, honest employee” and said a forensic team has been deployed while investigations are ongoing. The exact contents of his note have not been fully confirmed by officials as of yet.
Intersection, Mysteries, and Institutional Questions
These twin tragedies — of a senior IPS and a junior ASI — have created a cascade of institutional questions, public shock, and administrative strain.
The fact that Sandeep’s video praises DGP Kapur and Bijarniya even as he accuses middle-tier officers introduces a complex layering of internal rivalries.
The timing of the second suicide, occurring amid the high-profile scrutiny over Kumar’s case, has raised concerns over possible cover-ups or intimidation tactics.
Observers point out the stark contrast — while Puran Kumar’s note targeted top leadership, Sandeep’s message pointed toward mid-level actors, giving rise to speculation about internal power dynamics.
Other unresolved and troubling elements:
- The delay in naming the accused in the FIR for Kumar’s death, as raised by his wife, obfuscates accountability.
- The insistence by Kumar’s family on postponing the autopsy until suspensions or arrests are made stalls vital forensic inquiry.
- The invocation of SC/ST Act provisions only after family intervention suggests cautious prosecutorial handling of caste-based allegations.
- Pressing by community groups and political parties indicates this is no longer a closed police matter but a social flashpoint.
Way Forward: Justice, Transparency & Reform
What these incidents demand is more than symbolic action — a transparent, independent investigation that leaves no room for institutional shielding. The SIT constituted in Kumar’s case must be empowered to summon witnesses at every rank, secure digital records, and resist political interference. (The Indian Express)
The state must also address deeper structural questions: caste prejudice within the police ranks, mental health support for officers, and mechanisms to report harassment without fear of retaliation.
For the families of the departed and for public faith in law enforcement, justice must not be delayed or diluted.
The rule of law demands clarity, accountability, and the courage to police those who police us.
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