'CBI Is Over-Burdened', Show Lapse In Police Investigation To Transfer Probe: P&H High Court In IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case

While hearing a plea seeking transfer of probe into IPS Puran Kumar's alleged suicide to the CBI, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday (October 31) orally said that the central agency is already "overburdened" and the court cannot "casually" pass orders transferring probe unless lapse in police's investigation is shown. 

The plea, filed by Navneet Kumar, President of a Haryana NGO, calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the officer's death, citing concerns over the impartiality of the ongoing Chandigarh Police-led inquiry.

Kumar reportedly shot himself dead at his residence in Chandigarh on October 7 and left a suicide note, blaming various officers including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and then Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya. He also alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry orally said, “CBI is already quite overburdened. Let's not casually pass orders...You have to point out some anomaly in the investigation, some lapse.”

During the hearing, the Court questioned the petitioner, “can 306 (IPC) be made out by this kind of allegations? Please tells us one Supreme Court judgment where conviction was passed on the basis of these allegations.”

"How can a mere abuse...even to that extent if somebody slaps a person, even then 306 is not made out, that is what Supreme Court has said," it added.

 Counsel appearing for the petitioner alleged that Kumar was systematically victimised and many officers named in the suicide note were not even transferred.

However, the Court said that since the investigation into the Haryana cadre officer's death was being conducted by the Chandigarh Police, there was no question of partiality.

Counsel appearing for Chandigarh Police submitted that three IPS officers are appointed in SIT to probe the case.

Ad. AG for Haryana Deepak Balyan submitted that the petitioner is a resident of Punjab, the issue involves from Chandigarh and Haryana, there are no special circumstances.

However, the Court adjourned the case to give more time to the petitioner's counsel to prepare.

Title: Navneet Kumar v UOI & Ors