In this gripping episode of Facts & Figures, we uncover the tragic story of IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, a senior Dalit officer from Haryana, whose life ended in despair due to systemic caste-based discrimination and mental harassment. Despite his outstanding service and dedication, Puran Kumar faced relentless humiliation and bias at the hands of senior officials, including DGP Shatrugjit Singh Kapoor, ACS Rajiv Arora, and several others. His eight-page note, left behind before his suicide, exposes the deep-rooted prejudice, public humiliation, and targeted mental torture that Dalit officers endure within India’s law enforcement system.
The story is not just about one man’s suffering. It reflects a larger societal malaise, where even educated, high-ranking Dalit officials are treated as second-class citizens. Puran Kumar’s ordeal reveals how systemic casteism persists in modern institutions, and how senior officials exploit their positions to enforce discrimination and fear. His wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, has demanded justice, calling for FIRs, suspensions, and protective measures for the family.
This episode also raises crucial questions about accountability, governance, and the moral responsibilities of those in power. Why did repeated complaints go unaddressed? How could such abuse continue unchecked at the highest levels? Through this discussion, Facts & Figures examines the dark realities of caste discrimination, institutional failure, and the urgent need for justice and reform in India’s bureaucracy.