I regret I could not attend my father’s last rites, could not hug him, says son of Haryana SP

On May 15 , Sandeep’s father, a Superintendent of Police in Haryana, suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence. He was taken to the hospital at Ambala, where he passed away.

Sandip Singh was only able to say a final goodbye to his father on video call due to the nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on March 23. (Express)

Sandip Singh was only able to say a final goodbye to his father on video call due to the nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on March 23.

On May 15 , Sandeep’s father, Naripjit Singh, 56, a Superintendent of Police in Haryana, suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence. He was taken to the hospital at Ambala, where he passed away.

Naripjit Singh, was cremated at Ambala the next day and was given a guard of honour by the Haryana Police in the presence of senior police officials including DGP Haryana Police, Manoj Yadava. Sandeep, a Deputy Bank Manager at SBI, Calicut, Kerala, was unable to join his father’s last rites.

The only option he had was to bid a final farewell to his father via video call, as train tickets were still not available at the time.

“It is the biggest regret of my life that I could not hug my father for the last time. I am unable to express what I have actually missed,” said Sandeep Singh, speaking to Indian Express, who boarded the Rajdhani Express, on May 22.

Sandeep’s father who celebrated his last birthday on May 13, had called him back home when the two spoke on video call that day “On his birthday, my father asked me to come back to Ambala, and I told him that I will reach him after the lockdown opens. But I never thought that I was seeing him alive for the last time,” added Sandeep.

“Sandeep is the only son of the family. His mother was alone during the tragedy. We could only manage to make him see his father through video calls. Naripjit Singh was a jovial person and loved his son the most,” said Ripanjit Singh, Sandeep’s brother.

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Sandeep reached Ambala, via New Delhi, by 6 pm on May 24.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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