Sandeep Kumar’s suicide raises concerns over corruption and caste discrimination in Haryana police.
In a troubling turn of events in Haryana, Sandeep Kumar, an assistant sub-inspector, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his maternal uncle’s residence in Rohtak’s Ladhot road. This incident occurred just days after the reported suicide of Indian Police Service officer Y Puran Kumar on October 7. Both cases are now under investigation, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
According to reports, Sandeep Kumar, who was attached to the cyber cell, was discovered in a tubewell room, where a suicide note and his service weapon were also found. An unidentified police officer indicated that preliminary assessments suggest his death was a suicide, prompting an ongoing inquiry into the matter.
Puran Kumar’s death had already raised significant alarm within the police force. He was discovered dead at his home in Chandigarh, and police officials stated that he had also taken his own life. A note recovered from the scene implicated multiple officers, including Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya, in allegations of caste-based discrimination. In light of these allegations, the state government took action by placing Kapur on leave and replacing Bijarniya shortly before Sandeep Kumar’s death.
While the post-mortem examination for Puran Kumar has not yet taken place due to his family’s refusal until arrests are made, Sandeep Kumar’s case has drawn further scrutiny. The assistant sub-inspector recorded a video that circulated widely on social media, where he spoke about his decision to end his life. He claimed to have faced harassment from certain officers at the inspector general of police office in Rohtak, accusing them of engaging in corrupt practices and perpetuating caste discrimination.
Sandeep Kumar specifically named Puran Kumar in his video, alleging that he was involved in corrupt activities, including manipulating postings within the police department. He expressed that under Puran Kumar’s leadership, the integrity of the department had been compromised, with claims that positions could be bought and sold. Furthermore, he accused Puran Kumar of leveraging his family connections, citing his wife’s role as an Indian Administrative Officer and his brother-in-law’s political position as means to shield corrupt practices.
In his final note, Sandeep Kumar articulated concerns about the growing influence of caste in the police force, questioning why the nation was allowing corruption to flourish. He had previously played a significant role in the arrest of Head Constable Sushil Kumar, who was identified as Puran Kumar’s personal security officer. Sushil was arrested on October 6, just before Puran Kumar’s death, suggesting a potentially complex web of issues within the police force.
Following Sandeep Kumar’s passing, Rohtak Superintendent of Police Surender Singh Bhoria remembered him as a diligent and honest officer. He described the incident as unfortunate and confirmed that forensic teams were called in to gather evidence, indicating that further details will emerge as the investigation continues.
