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Chandigarh: Perturbed over what she termed as the “undignified haste” shown by the Chandigarh Police in conducting the post-mortem of her husband, senior Haryana-cadre IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, his wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, accused the police of “disrespecting both the family’s consent and the dignity of a Dalit officer even in death.”
Amneet, visibly distraught, alleged that the Chandigarh Police took the body away for post-mortem from the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, without waiting for the family to pay their last respects, despite her explicit request.
“The Chandigarh Police have shown no dignity towards my deceased husband, who belonged to the Dalit community. I had agreed to the post-mortem but clearly stated that the children would pay their last respects before the process began. However, the police removed the body from the hospital despite no family member being present,” she said.
The senior officer alleged that in their rush to complete the formalities, crucial evidence might have been compromised. “The body was transferred from the Sector 16 hospital to PGI without the family’s knowledge. This could have destroyed vital forensic evidence. The Chandigarh Police will be responsible for any lapses,” she said, adding that the incident reflected “insensitivity and systemic disregard” towards a Dalit officer’s family.
She further said, “The onus is now on the Chandigarh Police. If the consent of the family is so irrelevant, let them do what they want with the body. I have maintained silence out of dignity till now, but this is now completely out of hand. What was the rush? Let the Chandigarh Police explain their conduct.”
The emotional outburst comes amid growing outrage over the circumstances surrounding the death of Y Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer, who was found dead at his official residence in Sector 11. His family has alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination, naming senior police officers in a complaint filed with the Chandigarh Police.
Police Admit ‘Communication Gap’
Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda acknowledged that there had been a “communication gap” between the police and the family during the transfer of the body. “We admit there was a communication gap. The post-mortem will not proceed until the family gives its consent. The SSP is accompanying the body to ensure that the process begins only after the family’s go-ahead,” the DGP said.
Officials confirmed that the body has been taken to PGI, where the autopsy is scheduled, but the process remains on hold as the family has not yet given consent.
Family’s Deep Distrust
Sources close to the family said the sequence of events has deepened their distress and mistrust, especially given the sensitive nature of the case. The family has already demanded that the FIR be amended to include senior Haryana Police officers as accused, and that the post-mortem be videographed and conducted only after all legal formalities are complete.
Meanwhile, senior officials from both Haryana and Chandigarh administrations are reportedly in touch to prevent the situation from escalating further, even as calls for an impartial probe continue to grow louder from Scheduled Caste community leaders and civil rights groups.