Chandigarh/ Haryana

In a dramatic turn in the ongoing probe into the alleged suicide of senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, the Haryana government on Monday proceeded to put Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on forced leave — via a midnight order that capped days of political and public outrage.

The move is widely interpreted as a bid to defuse escalating tension, but it also raises questions about institutional accountability and the state’s willingness to act amid mounting pressure from the deceased officer’s family, Dalit advocacy groups and the opposition.

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Background: The Tragic Death & Accusations

Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his Chandigarh residence on October 7. Kumar—who belonged to a Scheduled Caste—alleged public humiliation, caste-based discrimination, mental harassment, and professional isolation, naming Kapur, Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, and several senior police and IAS officers as complicit.

His widow, Amneet P. Kumar, herself an IAS officer, took a firm stand: she refused consent for a postmortem or cremation until the state took action against all officers named in the note. Meanwhile, Dalit groups and civil society organizations called for Kapur’s removal and swift legal proceedings.

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Midnight Order: What Led to the Forced Leave?

According to sources, a series of high-level meetings involving Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, principal secretaries, and senior bureaucrats were convened late into the night on Monday. The decision to relieve Kapur of his duties reportedly came just after midnight — seen as a carefully timed response to intensifying pressure.

The delay in taking action had already cost the state politically: the Haryana government postponed a planned “anniversary” rally in Sonipat, as protests by Dalit groups and support from opposition parties threatened to overshadow the celebrations.

Media statements confirm that while the leave order was issued, the formal notification was pending at the time of reporting.

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Legal Fallout & Reassignment

The decision coincided with Kapur’s being named in the FIR tied to the suicide case.In line with protocol, O. P. Singh, a 1992-batch IPS officer, has been assigned additional charge of the DGP post during Kapur’s absence. The state’s move follows the earlier transfer of SP Bijarniya, who was also implicated in the suicide note.

Legal observers note that Kapur’s leave status neither implies guilt nor immunizes him from probe. The FIR reportedly mentions the offenses of abetment to suicide, criminal intimidation, and causing mental harassment.

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Political Repercussions & Social Dimensions

The case has triggered a political storm. The Congress and other opposition parties have demanded the immediate removal, arrest, and court-custody of Kapur, framing the matter as a systemic failure to protect marginalized community members in power. Dalit organisations have also pronounced a 48-hour ultimatum for Kapur’s exit or risk statewide protests.

Some activists observe that the demand for Kapur’s removal is not just about one officer, but about symbolic accountability for alleged caste bias and institutional impunity.

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Challenges & Questions Ahead

Several issues demand clarity:

• Impartiality of probe: There is widespread call for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or judicial oversight to prevent influence from within the system.
• Timing and propriety of leave: Critics argue that relief on leave should follow at least preliminary evidence or departmental containment, not as a reaction to pressure.
• Systemic reforms: The case has renewed debate on mental health support for officers, mechanisms to report harassment, and caste discrimination safeguards in the police-administrative structure.
• Long-term fallout: If Kapur or other implicated officers evade accountability, public trust — especially among marginalized communities — may further erode.

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