Telangana Dy CM meets family of Dalit IPS officer Puran Kumar

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Monday demanded the central government’s intervention into the suicide of Dalit IPS officer Y Puran Kumar after he visited his family in Chandigarh. He called the impasse over the autopsy a violation of human rights.

Chief minister Revanth Reddy also spoke to his wife, Amneet P Kumar, IAS, over the phone. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi too called for the suspension of the senior police officers named in the ‘final note’ of Y Puran Kumar, saying that such steps were necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

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Bhatti Vikramarka, who also hails from a SC family, met the wife and parents of IPS officer Puran Kumar, who died by suicide in Chandigarh on 8 October. The deputy chief minister wondered if an additional DG-level officer working in the highest service of the country was denied social justice, what would be the state of affairs of the public?

He said, “The central government must immediately intervene to ensure prompt action against culprits and a legal investigation… I demand that the Prime Minister and the home minister fulfil their constitutional responsibilities and take immediate action against the culprits. This is not a political issue. It is a human rights issue.”

Bhatti Vikramarka, who was accompanied by AICC members, also spoke about the impasse over the body. His family has refused consent for a post-mortem till the DGP was removed.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also said that Puran Kumar, a Telugu Dalit officer, was a victim of caste discrimination and harassment. “Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar died by suicide due to harassment and caste-based discrimination. He named many of his seniors in his ‘final note’. My condolences to his family, especially his spouse. It is unfortunate proof that Dalits are not allowed to progress even if they become IPS officers.”

Owaisi also demanded swift action in the case instead of mere lip service. Everything must be done to swiftly bring the accused to justice. Lip service won’t do. Interim confidence measures— including suspensions— must be taken to ensure the integrity of the investigation.”