Haryana DGP Sent on Leave Amid Outcry Over IPS Officer Y. Puran Kumar’s Death

DGP Shatrujeet Kapur Relieved Temporarily, Om Parkash Singh Gets Additional Charge

Amid growing outrage over the death of senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, the Haryana government on Monday sent Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on leave and handed additional charge to Om Parkash Singh, Managing Director of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation.

An official order issued by the Home Department on October 14 confirmed the change, stating that Singh would hold charge “during the leave period of Shatrujeet Kapur.” The move followed intense public and political pressure for action against senior officers named in the case.

Rajiv Jaitly, media adviser to the Chief Minister, told The Hindu that the decision was made “in view of the ongoing investigation and public sentiment,” adding that a formal notification would be released soon.

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Autopsy Delayed as Family Demands Arrests

Eight days after Kumar’s death, his autopsy remains pending. His wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has refused to allow the post-mortem until the two accused officers—DGP Kapur and former Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya—are arrested.

Despite repeated appeals from officials, including personal visits to Mrs. Kumar’s residence, the family has stood firm. The Chandigarh Police, which is leading the investigation, confirmed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had written to her urging identification of the body “to facilitate the post-mortem examination (PME), which is essential for a fair and speedy probe.”

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Suicide Note Names Senior Officers

Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer serving as Inspector General of Police at the Police Training Centre, Sunaria (Rohtak), was found dead with a gunshot wound at his Chandigarh residence on October 7.

Investigators recovered a handwritten note from his pocket, in which Kumar allegedly accused senior officers—including DGP Kapur and Bijarniya—of harassment and defamation. His wife has described these alleged actions as “the immediate triggers” for his suicide.

Following the discovery, Bijarniya was transferred from his post, but no arrests have yet been made.

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Public and Political Pressure Builds

The incident has sparked widespread protests and political reactions. A 31-member civil committee, ‘Justice for Y. Puran Kumar,’ has been formed to coordinate demonstrations and legal pressure. Committee member Gurmail Dhabi said, “An FIR has been registered, but it means nothing if the accused remain free.”

Leaders from various political parties have visited the bereaved family, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet them on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Police has requested the Haryana government to share all relevant documents to expedite the investigation.

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The Road Ahead

The case has reignited debate over police accountability and internal culture within law enforcement agencies. With the DGP now on leave and the probe under intense public scrutiny, attention is shifting toward how the SIT handles the next steps—including forensic verification of the suicide note and potential questioning of senior officers.

Until then, the stalemate over the post-mortem continues, symbolizing a deeper crisis of trust between the officer’s family and the state police establishment.