The deadlock continues between the family of deceased IPS officer Y Puran Kumar and Haryana government as the family did not agree for the post-mortem even today, despite state government pressing in all its top ministers, chief minister’s political advisors, and top bureaucrats. Since October 7, Kumar’s body has been lying in the mortuary awaiting family’s consent. Accepting one of her demands, Chandigarh Police Sunday included harsher provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (Section 3(2) (v)) in the FIR registered in case of Kumar’s alleged suicide. IGP Pushpendra Kumar, who is heading the SIT, confirmed the inclusion of Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act in the FIR. Key to the application of these provisions is the assertion that the accused were aware of Kumar’s caste identity and acted with intent rooted in caste discrimination — a claim allegedly detailed in the note recovered from the scene. The 2001-batch IPS officer from Haryana allegedly died by suicide on October 7. The purported suicide note accuses senior police officers of caste-based discrimination, public humiliation, and mental harassment. A 31-member committee, constituted to demand justice for the officer, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to both the Chandigarh Administration and the Haryana government. They are demanding strict action against those named in the note and a high-level inquiry into the role of senior police officials. Karamvir Boudh, a member of committee, said, “Haryana DGP must be immediately removed. Both DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and former Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya should be arrested.” The committee has warned if authorities fail to act within 48 hours, mass protests will be launched.
