A Haryana Police Assistant Sub-inspector allegedly died by suicide on Tuesday in Rohtak, leaving behind a six-minute purported video and a three-page suicide note in which he levelled serious allegations against late Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Y Puran Kumar, news agency PTI reported.
The authenticity of the video and note could not be independently verified immediately.
Police sources said ASI Sandeep Kumar, who was posted in the cyber cell, played a role in the arrest of head constable Sushil Kumar, an aide of Puran Kumar. Sushil Kumar had recently been arrested in connection with a bribery case filed by a liquor contractor in Rohtak, who alleged that the head constable sought a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh in Puran Kumar’s name, PTI reported.
Sandeep Kumar’s body was recovered from his residence on Ladhaut-Dhamar Road, PTI reported. His death comes amid heightened scrutiny following the suicide of the IPS officer, who had reportedly left behind a note accusing eight officers, including Deputy General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Bijarniya, of “blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities”. Following Puran Kumar’s death, the government had sent the DGP on leave and transferred Bijarniya.
A senior police officer in Rohtak said, “Sandeep was a very hardworking and honest officer. We received information about the body and reached the scene immediately.”
When asked about the video and note, Rohtak SP, SS Bhoria, said, “It is difficult to comment at this stage. The forensic team is investigating.”
In the purported video, Sandeep Kumar is heard accusing Puran Kumar of wrongdoing.
“Even Bhagat Singh made sacrifices and walked a difficult path, after which the country awakened. And today, this country will awaken when we sacrifice ourselves on the path of truth,” he purportedly stated in the video. Sandeep Kumar also claimed that “honest officer” Narendra Bijarniya had confronted Puran Kumar.
The 52-year-old IPS officer had recently been posted as Inspector General at the Police Training Centre (PTC) in Sunaria, Rohtak. He was found wounded at his Chandigarh residence on October 7.
The case has drawn attention to the escalating controversy surrounding Puran Kumar’s death and the allegations of corruption, caste-based discrimination, and harassment within the Haryana Police.
(With PTI inputs)