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SIT cites high-profile nature, says waiting for forensic reports and key documents

Chandigarh: The family of Haryana-cadre IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide at his Chandigarh residence on October 7, has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the probe being conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Chandigarh Police.

Family members and their legal representatives have conveyed concern over the lack of updates and have questioned why the investigation has not moved forward even a month after the incident.

SIT officials, however, maintain that the case is “high-profile and sensitive,” requiring a comprehensive investigation from all possible angles. Several key witnesses are yet to record their statements, and some forensic and government records are still awaited, they said.

The SIT is likely to summon former Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia and the officer’s daughter, who first saw the body, for questioning in the coming days.

Used gunman’s revolver, not PSO’s

The probe has revealed that Puran Kumar used gunman Sunit Kumar’s revolver, and not the weapon issued to his personal security officer (PSO) Sushil Kumar, to end his life. On the day of the incident, Sunit Kumar was on duty at the officer’s Sector-11 residence.

Police have initiated a departmental inquiry to determine how the gunman’s revolver came into the IPS officer’s possession. Sunit Kumar had been attached with Puran Kumar since his Ambala posting. The seized weapon has been sent for forensic testing, though the report is still awaited.

Investigation updates and pending gaps

Post-mortem report not released:
Nearly three weeks after the autopsy was conducted at PGI Chandigarh on October 15, the SIT has not shared any findings or press briefing. The family raised this issue strongly during their last meeting with investigators.

Suicide note typed the same day:
According to SIT sources, the alleged suicide note was typed on the officer’s laptop on the same day he took his life. The finding supports the suicide theory, officials said. However, the officer’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has requested that the laptop be returned. Police have declined, saying it remains a crucial piece of evidence.

Delay in government records:
The SIT has acknowledged that the probe has been slowed by delays in receiving 32 key documents sought from the Haryana Police and the state government. Investigators are also examining an FIR registered in Rohtak, to determine whether it is linked to the officer’s death.

Two key witnesses yet to depose:
While statements of several police officials and domestic staff have been recorded, the SIT is still awaiting the deposition of the officer’s daughter and former SP Bijarnia, whose name had surfaced in the controversy following the incident.

Family seeks time for daughter’s statement:
A senior SIT official said the family has requested that the daughter’s statement be recorded after her school examinations. The SIT is expected to take her statement later this week. IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch Haryana-cadre officer, allegedly shot himself dead with his service weapon at his official residence in Sector 11, Chandigarh, on October 7. He was posted as IG, Home Guards, Haryana, at the time of his death.