Haryana Shifts Rohtak SP Over IPS Officer’s Suicide
The action follows pressure built by the family members of Kumar, seeking action against the officers named in a 'final note' left behind by the deceased
Chandigarh: The Haryana government on Saturday transferred Rohtak police superintendent Narendra Bijarniya, days after senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar allegedly died by suicide at his Chandigarh residence. The move came amid growing pressure from Kumar’s family, who accused top police officials of caste-based discrimination and mental harassment.
The incident has triggered a political storm, with Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi writing to Kumar’s family, saying that the biased attitude of those in power continues to deprive even senior officials of social justice. BSP chief Mayawati also expressed shock, calling the incident a “matter of shame for a civilised government.”
According to an official order, IPS officer Surinder Singh Bhoria has been appointed as the new Rohtak SP, while the posting order for Bijarniya will be issued separately.
The decision follows public outrage over Kumar’s alleged “final note”, in which he named eight senior police officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and Bijarniya, accusing them of “blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities.”
In a letter to Kumar’s wife, Amneet P. Kumar, Sonia Gandhi wrote, “The news of the tragic death of your husband and senior IPS officer, Y. Puran Kumar, is both shocking and deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family in this time of immense difficulty. The passing of Y. Puran Kumar is a reminder that even today, the prejudiced and biased attitudes of those in power deprive even the most senior officials of social justice. I, and millions across the country, stand with you in your pursuit of justice. May God grant you patience, courage, and strength during this difficult time.”
Mayawati, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), wrote, “This tragic and serious incident proves that casteism continues to plague our governance and administration. The government must ensure an independent and impartial probe and punish the guilty.”
Senior Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Hooda, and Charanjit Singh Channi also met the bereaved family in Chandigarh on Saturday, describing the incident as “heart-wrenching” and “a stain on the conscience of the system.”
Kumar, 52, a 2001-batch IPS officer, was serving as Inspector General of Police Training Centre (PTC) at Sunaria, Rohtak. He allegedly shot himself at his Sector 11 residence in Chandigarh on Tuesday. His wife, Amneet P. Kumar, a senior IAS officer, lodged a complaint with Chandigarh Police the following day, seeking an FIR under abetment to suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the DGP and the Rohtak SP.
In her complaint, Amneet alleged that her husband faced continuous caste-based humiliation and harassment from his superiors. The family has refused consent for an autopsy, and Kumar’s body remains at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Sources said the Haryana government is in discussions with the family to persuade them to allow the post-mortem and cremation.
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Police on Friday formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. Kumar’s eight-page “final note” reportedly details years of harassment and professional humiliation. His death has sparked widespread condemnation and intensified political debate across party lines.