Cops want laptop on which ‘final note’ typed; Amneet: ‘SIT failed to seize it’

In a detailed written response addressed to the SIT, Amneet, however, said that she have always extended full cooperation to the investigating authorities and had even permitted the SIT and the IT teams to take possession of the laptop. According to her, the team spent over four hours at her residence but was unable to provide the necessary digital hash value generation — a key step for verifying the integrity of electronic evidence — due to their own “technical inability.”

Amneet further said that the laptop was to be handed over only after the completion of due formalities and the issuance of a proper acknowledgment, which, she claimed, could not be done because of the SIT’s procedural shortcomings. “The delay or non-seizure of the laptop was solely on account of the SIT’s inability to complete the procedural and technical requirements and not due to any hesitation or non-cooperation on my part,” her reply reads.

Expressing concern over the portrayal of her cooperation, Amneet emphasized that the case involves “the tragic and suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a senior IPS officer,” and must be handled with “utmost seriousness, diligence, and accountability.”

Amneet further said that she expects that considering the sensitivity and importance of the matter, all relevant electronic and material evidence is secured and examined at the earliest in accordance with due procedure.

“Timely and transparent handling of such evidence will not only help maintain the integrity of the investigation but also strengthen public confidence in the process”, she said while reiterating her full cooperation to facilitate any lawful step deemed necessary by the SIT.

Amneet further requested that before the laptop is accessed, cloned, or forensic ally examined, a certified backup of all stored data be provided to her or an authorised representative, citing the presence of personal, family-related, and sensitive communications on the device.

She urged that a secure copy of the data be preserved to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of personal information during the forensic process. Meanwhile Chandigarh Police said that the SIT, constituted to probe into the FIR registered after taking cognisance of the final note, has remained stationed in Rohtak since October 11, where it has served a notice under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)-2023 to the Government of Haryana, seeking official documents and records necessary for the ongoing investigation.

As part of procedural requirements, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Chandigarh Police, also issued a formal request letter to the complainant, asking her to come forward for the identification of the body so that the post-mortem examination (PME) can be conducted at the earliest,for ensuring a speedy and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Meanwhile, in a report submitted to the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Monday, Chandigarh Police said a request was made to the director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, for conducting the post-mortem by a board of doctors comprising ballistic, to Xicology, forensic and fingerprint experts, in the presence of an executive magistrate with videography and photography.

The board was duly constituted by the PGIMER, but the family members of the deceased have not come forward for the postmortem proceedings,so it could not be conducted, said the police.

The Commission, while taking suo-motu cognisance of the alleged suicide by Kumar, had sought a report from the Chandigarh Director General of Police in this regard. The Commission expressed dissatisfaction over the reply and sought action against all those who were named by Kumar in his suicide note.

Punjab SC panel chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi directed the Chandigarh Police to take immediate action in the matter. He pointed out that the report submitted by the police did not include a copy of the FIR, leaving it unclear whether the case has been registered against the officials mentioned in the suicide note. The Commission was also not provided with written details regarding the SIT constituted to probe the case, said Garhi in a statement.

In its reply to the Commission, the Chandigarh Police said that on October 7 at 1.49 pm, information was received through the police control room that there was an attempt to commit suicide at House No.116, Sector-11, Chandigarh.

“On this information, police reached the spot where Y. Puran Kumar, IPS, was found lying on a sofa with a gunshot wound on the head in the basement of the house. A typed ‘Final Note’ dated October 7 was also recovered from the pocket of the deceased. Subsequently, Amneet P. Kumar, the wife of the late Y Puran Kumar, filed a complaint on October8 with the police for registration of an FIR. After obtaining a legal opinion, an FIR was registered at Police Station West Sector-11, Chandigarh on October 9, said the police.

“During initial proceedings, the CFSL team inspected the scene of the crime and collected exhibits/evidence from the spot and handed the mover to the police party. Other articles i.e. mobile phones, fingerprints etc. were also taken into police possession from the spot. That exhibits have also been deposited with CFSL, Sector-36,Chandigarh for examination,”said the police. Initially,the body was taken to GMSH-16, Chandigarh and later on the body was shifted to PGIMER, Chandigarh for postmortem examination, as the family members of the deceased want to get the post-mortem done at PGIMER, Chandigarh, it said.

ASIT, headed by the Inspector General of Police, was constituted to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough investigation of the case and to investigate all aspects of the case including evidence collection, witness examination, and take expert opinions, in a time-bound manner, it said.

From the homepage

‘Pursue before ECI’: Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking SIT probe into Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ allegations

In Prashant Kishor’s second list, expansion of promise in first – representation to all castes, classes

Husband and wife claiming same benefit? Centre flags 31 lakh PM-Kisan cases after review