Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed profound shock and outrage over the alleged suicide of Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, branding the incident a "forced death" emblematic of pervasive caste-based attacks that erode societal fabric. In a strongly worded statement posted on X by his office, Reddy lamented the "pathetic living conditions" afflicting even high-ranking officials like an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), underscoring how such discrimination signals deeper failures in upholding constitutional equality for marginalised communities. Kumar, a 52-year-old 2001-batch officer from the Scheduled Caste category, reportedly shot himself at his Chandigarh residence on October 8, leaving an eight-page suicide note that detailed years of torment.
Reddy's intervention amplifies national grief and demands for accountability, warning that unchecked "hatred towards oppressed communities will poison society" and erode public faith in justice and the Constitution. "These kinds of disgraceful incidents will drive people towards losing faith in the Constitution, equality, and justice," the post read, urging all citizens to "vehemently condemn such attacks on oppressed communities." He described the tragedy not merely as an assault on Kumar but on the nation's ethos, calling for it to be treated as a grave national issue. Extending heartfelt condolences to Kumar's family, Reddy's remarks align with his government's focus on social justice, including recent initiatives like caste censuses and reservations in Telangana, positioning him as a vocal ally in interstate advocacy against caste atrocities.
The controversy stems from Kumar's detailed "final note", recovered alongside a will, which accuses 16 senior IAS and IPS officers—including Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Singh Kapur and Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya—of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities" dating back to August 2020. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh and an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad with a computer science engineering background, Kumar highlighted malicious transfers, leaked confidential proceedings to the media for public shaming, and ignored pleas for equitable treatment.
Notably, the note praises Chief Principal Secretary to Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Rajesh Khullar (IAS, retd.), as the sole officer who listened and intervened effectively. Kumar's wife, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar—who was in Japan on a delegation led by Haryana CM Saini when informed—has refused last rites until justice, demanding arrests under abetment to suicide provisions and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, citing threats to their two daughters.
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Chandigarh Police registered an FIR on October 10 and formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Inspector General Pushpendra Kumar for a time-bound probe, amid family frustrations over delays. Haryana CM Saini met Amneet on October 10, assuring action "no matter how big" the culprits, while reshuffling Rohtak SP Bijarniya and considering DGP Kapur's leave. Opposition figures like Congress's Sonia Gandhi and Deepender Hooda have demanded a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry, decrying institutional biases. Reddy's stance echoes broader civil society calls for reforms, including mental health support for officers and anti-discrimination protocols, as the case exposes fissures in India's bureaucracy ahead of Haryana's elections.
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