Haryana IG Y. Puran Kumar found dead - Police probe suspected suicide

Senior Haryana police officer Y. Puran Kumar allegedly shot himself at his Chandigarh residence on Tuesday, officials said.

The 52-year-old 2001-batch officer, known for his interventions on matters related to officers’ rights, seniority, and other administrative issues, had recently been posted as Inspector General at the Police Training Centre (PTC) in Sunaria, Rohtak.

Kumar’s body was discovered in a basement room with a gunshot wound, police said. His wife, Amneet P. Kumar, an IAS officer and Commissioner & Secretary of the Department of Foreign Cooperation, Haryana government, is in Japan with a delegation led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini. She is expected to return on Wednesday.

Physical and electronic evidence, including the weapon, was seized by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) team. A “Will” and a “Final Note” were also recovered at the scene. Sources said the note spans nine pages.

Police reached the Kumars’ home in Sector 11 after receiving information about the incident around 1.30 pm. “The SHO, Sector 11, and his team inspected the scene. A reported suicide had taken place… The body was identified as that of Y. Puran Kumar, IPS officer,” Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur told reporters.

Those present at the house at the time are being questioned, she added.

Kumar had previously served as Rohtak Range IG before his recent transfer to IG, PTC, Sunaria. Sources noted that a liquor contractor recently filed a complaint against a police constable in Rohtak, alleging a bribe. The constable was arrested on Monday. A video allegedly featuring the contractor making these claims surfaced Tuesday evening. Haryana Police are investigating any links between the arrested constable and Kumar during his tenure as Rohtak Range IG.

Chandigarh police issued a statement Tuesday evening confirming the reported suicide. It said, “Police Station 11, Chandigarh, received information of a reported suicide at around 1.30 pm. Upon arrival, senior officers identified the deceased as Y. Puran Kumar, IPS 2001 Batch, Haryana Cadre. The body was found in a basement room with a gunshot wound.” The body has been sent for postmortem, and the CFSL team has documented the scene. The postmortem will be conducted by a board of doctors after the wife’s return.

Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Kumar, an engineering graduate, served in several Haryana districts, including Ambala, Rohtak, and Kurukshetra. His retirement was due in May 2033. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

In recent years, Kumar had been vocal about issues concerning representation of scheduled castes in police ranks. During last year’s parliamentary elections, he raised complaints with the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer regarding IAS and IPS officers holding multiple charges. He also approached the state government over discriminatory allocation of official vehicles.

A few years ago, he had accused a senior officer of harassment based on caste. Kumar’s death has shocked police and administrative circles.

Haryana Police expressed condolences, saying, “The Haryana Police is deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely demise of Shri Y. Puran Kumar, IPS, Inspector General of Police, P.T.C. Sunaria. We stand with his family in this difficult time. May God grant peace to his noble soul.”