Immigration consultant ‘suicide’ case: Accused ASI says ‘following AIG’s orders’, applies for bail

“I was only performing my duty. On AIG Kaler’s orders, I brought Rajdeep from Sector 80. On the way, Rajdeep himself asked to stop at the HDFC Bank and went inside the restroom, where he shot himself,” the ASI stated. He added that after hearing the gunshot, he broke the door along with bank staff and rushed Rajdeep to the hospital, but it was too late.

The court is scheduled to hear the bail application on September 16.

According to police records, Rajdeep Singh, 45, a Moga native residing in Sector 80, Mohali, shot himself with his licensed revolver inside the restroom of HDFC Bank, Sector 68, on September 9.

Before taking his life, Rajdeep had recorded a video statement accusing Kaler, Rishi Raj and others of harassment. “I have never done anything wrong. You have harassed me so much. I have no other option than ending my life,” he had said in the video.

Rajdeep also left a suicide note, apologising to his family and reiterating that he was left with “no choice”.

In his complaint, Rajdeep’s father Parmjeet Singh alleged that on the day of the incident, around 12:30 pm, Rishi Raj and another person brought Rajdeep in Kaler’s official vehicle. Parmjeet claimed that Rajdeep was first taken to Kaler’s residence, was “humiliated and recorded on video” and then forced to apply for a loan at HDFC Bank.

The complaint further alleged that Kaler had invested Rs 1.60 crore in Rajdeep’s immigration business, which was returned in February, but he kept demanding more money as profit. Rajdeep had also mentioned outstanding dues of Rs 2.46 crore owed to CA Sameer Aggarwal, and Rs 3.5 crore to his friend Gurdeep Singh, along with Rs 40 lakh linked to Rinku Krishna and Saina Arora, owners of a Ferozepur-based immigration firm.

Based on the suicide video and note, an FIR was registered at Phase-8 police station under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Kaler, Rishi Raj, Aggarwal, Krishna, and Arora.

Kaler, a 2012-batch Punjab Police Service officer, faces the most serious charges. Once celebrated as a poet, singer, author, actor, mountaineer, and skydiver, the AIG has trained with the FBI, RCMP (Canada), and Singapore Police. He gained recognition for initiatives like a free taxi service for the elderly during COVID-19 and anti-drug campaigns.

However, the suicide case has cast a dark shadow over his reputation. Kaler is currently absconding and police teams are searching for him. The victim’s father alleged that the AIG threatened to falsely implicate Rajdeep in criminal cases, sent police to his home and office, and publicly humiliated him.

In his suicide note, Rajdeep also claimed that Kaler had invested Rs 2.4 crore in his former partner Sunil Aggarwal’s business and had taken blank cheques as security.