The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken significant steps in the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of senior Haryana-cadre IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, directing authorities to provide a comprehensive update on the probe's progress.
Court Scrutinizes CBI Transfer Plea
During Monday's hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry carefully examined a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court demonstrated caution in its approach, questioning the petitioner's standing in the matter.
The bench notably asked, "How can you be supplied with a copy?" emphasizing that the petitioner was neither the complainant nor directly affected by the case. The court described the allegations as "omnibus and general in nature" and requested the petitioner to demonstrate specific lapses or bias in the current investigation before considering the transfer to CBI.
Suicide Note Allegations and Investigation Status
The PIL, filed by Navneet Kumar, a Ludhiana resident, highlighted crucial aspects of the case that have raised public concern. According to the petition, Y Puran Kumar had named over a dozen IPS and IAS officers in his alleged suicide note, yet none had been called for questioning by investigating authorities.
In a dramatic revelation during proceedings, the petitioner's counsel alleged that an officer connected with the investigation had also died by suicide, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The counsel argued that Puran Kumar had been "systematically victimised" and that the circumstances warranted an independent probe by a central agency to restore public confidence.
Court Directives and Future Proceedings
The Chandigarh administration counsel informed the court that the investigation was actively progressing and committed to providing the bench with the latest developments. In response, the court issued specific directives to the administration, requiring them to place on record:
- Whether any of the individuals named in the FIR had been examined
- A clear clarification on the current progress of the investigation
- Detailed status of the ongoing probe
This marked the third hearing in the PIL concerning the case that began when Chandigarh Police registered FIR No 156 of 2025 on October 9, 2025, two days after Y Puran Kumar was found dead in his residence. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on Wednesday, where further developments are expected to emerge.
The court's intervention comes amid growing public interest in the case and increasing calls for transparency in the investigation process, particularly given the high-profile nature of the officers allegedly named in the suicide note.
