Haryana IPS officer's 'suicide': Family will get justice, says CM Saini
Chandigarh (PTI): In his first public comments over a case involving an IPS officer's "suicide", Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assured the deceased's family members on Saturday that they will get justice.
Y Puran Kumar, 52, a 2001-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, allegedly shot himself dead at his Sector-11 residence here on Tuesday. He has left behind a "final note".
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana is facing flak from the opposition over the alleged suicide of the officer, with leaders demanding an independent probe into his death.
Addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Panchkula, Saini said Kumar's family members have told him that they want justice.
"I have said that we will probe the matter and whosoever is found guilty, action will certainly be taken against him, no matter how big a person he may be," the chief minister said.
He further said he has spoken to the deceased's wife, Indian Administrative (IAS) officer Amneet P Kumar.
"We are also in touch with the Centre for the resolution of this issue," he said.
Saini asked the opposition parties not to indulge in politics over the issue.
If the deceased's family feels that injustice has been done with it, "we will ensure justice", he said.
"The family will get justice," the chief minister asserted.
Describing Puran Kumar's death as unfortunate, Saini said he had asked two officers to accompany the deceased's wife on her way back to India from Japan after she was informed of her husband's demise.
Amneet Kumar was part of a delegation led by Saini on a three-day tour of Japan when her husband allegedly shot himself in Chandigarh.
She has alleged that her husband's death was the result of "systematic persecution" by high-ranking officers.
After arriving from Japan, Saini met Amneet Kumar here to convey his condolences.
The Chandigarh Police registered an FIR on Thursday on charges of abetment to suicide and under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, based on the deceased officer's "final note".
In the eight-page "final note", Puran Kumar has named many senior IPS officers, specifically referring to Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur and Rohtak's Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Bijarniya, for allegedly harassing and maligning him.
The Chandigarh Police constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday for a "prompt, impartial and thorough" probe in the matter in a time-bound manner.
Chandigarh's Inspector General (IG) Pushpendra Kumar will lead the SIT.
In her complaint to the Chandigarh Police on Wednesday, Amneet Kumar sought an FIR against Kapur and Bijarniya under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (abetment to suicide) and the relevant provisions of the SC-ST Act, demanding their immediate arrest.
In his "final note", Puran Kumar has named eight senior IPS officers, including Kapur and Bijarniya.
A "will" and the "final note" were among the articles found at the scene where the officer's body was found on Tuesday, according to police.
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Sexual harassment allegations rock Italian cricket
New Delhi (PTI): Days after making a historic debut at the T20 World Cup, Italy cricket has been rocked by sexual harassment allegations by a women's team player against women's cricket co-ordinator Prabath Ekneligoda, who has been suspended by the nation's cricket board, the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) informed.
According to a statement released by FCRI, the allegations are the subject of an investigation by the federal prosecutor.
"The Federation confirms that, during 2025, the President of the federation acting within her institutional responsibilities and with the full safeguarding of the athletes and other parties involved in mind, ordered the immediate precautionary suspension of the individual concerned from all federal duties and activities," ESPN Cricinfo quoted the the board as saying in a statement.
"This measure was adopted pending a thorough and definitive assessment of the circumstances. The decision was taken as a prudent and responsible step, aimed at preventing any undue speculation, preserving the integrity of the sporting environment, and ensuring that any fact-finding takes place in the appropriate forums, with full respect for personal dignity, due process and the presumption of innocence."
According to reports, Ekneligoda's lawyer has denied the allegations, claiming "ulterior motives" were behind them.
FCRI media manager Rakbir Hasan confirmed to the website that Ekneligoda had travelled with the board president Maria Lorena Haz Paz at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka but didn't have any official duties.
"It is further noted that proceedings are currently under way before the Federal Prosecutor's Office, which is responsible for carrying out the assessments and investigations provided under sporting regulations," the FCRI said.
