Mr. Sushil Kumar, the gunman of the late Haryana IPS officer Mr. Y. Puran Kumar and key witness in the ongoing investigation related to the officer’s suicide, expressed serious fears for his life while lodged in Rohtak Jail. According to his family, two inmates, named Sandeep and Vikas, were reportedly threatening to kill him.
Ms. Soni Devi, wife of Mr. Sushil Kumar, promptly sent urgent letters to top authorities, including Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Prisons Mr. Alok Kumar Rai, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Rohtak District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh Special Investigation Team (SIT), and the Jail Superintendent, requesting her husband’s immediate transfer to a safer location.
Authorities Act on Threats
Responding to Ms. Devi’s request, the Haryana Director General of Prisons, Mr. Alok Kumar Rai, ordered the transfer of Mr. Sushil Kumar from Rohtak Jail to Ambala Central Jail to ensure his safety. Meanwhile, the Rohtak Jail Superintendent has been instructed to investigate the threats against him.
Ms. Devi stated that her husband, the sole key witness in the FIR concerning Mr. Y. Puran Kumar’s suicide, was being harassed daily. She alleged that influential officials, previously accused by the late officer’s family, now sought to silence the only main witness. Highlighting the vulnerability of her family, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, Ms. Devi described the situation as an exceptionally life-threatening crisis.
Background: Who is Sushil Kumar
Mr. Sushil Kumar was embroiled in a high-profile case after liquor businessman Mr. Praveen Bansal filed a complaint on October 6th, alleging that Kumar demanded a monthly payment of Rs. 2.5 lakh, supposedly for IG Mr. Y. Puran Kumar. During interrogation, Mr. Kumar reportedly admitted to collecting the amount for the late officer.
Tragically, Mr. Y. Puran Kumar committed suicide on October 7th at his Chandigarh residence. His suicide note implicated several senior officials, citing harassment and insults he had faced. The case escalated after ASI Mr. Sandeep Lathar, who participated in Mr. Sushil Kumar’s arrest, also committed suicide on October 14th. In his video-recorded statement and four-page suicide note, Mr. Lathar made serious allegations of corruption against Mr. Puran Kumar.
Based on Ms. Lathar’s complaint and the suicide note, the police registered an FIR implicating the late officer’s IAS wife, Ms. Amneet P. Kumar, his brother-in-law and Punjab MLA Mr. Amit Ratan, gunman Mr. Sushil Kumar, and another police officer.
Ensuring Safety for Key Witnesses
This incident has underscored the importance of providing maximum protection to key witnesses in sensitive cases involving high-ranking officials. Authorities are reportedly reviewing jail security measures and ensuring that inmates involved in high-profile cases are transferred to locations where their safety is guaranteed.
