In the days leading up to his tragic death, Haryana Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Sandeep Kumar Lathar appeared increasingly disturbed, colleagues say — haunted by an ongoing investigation into an alleged corruption case linked to late Inspector General of Police (IGP) Y. Puran Kumar. On October 14, 2025, Sandeep Lathar was found dead of a gunshot wound at his uncle’s house in Rohtak district. What he left behind — a 6.28-minute video and a handwritten note — has since sparked a political storm, raising questions about corruption, accountability, and the pressures faced by officers within the force.

A Troubled Morning and a Final Lie

Just hours before his death, Lathar met a group of close friends at their usual tea stall near the Rohtak bypass — a routine gathering spot where they often caught up over tea and small talk. But that morning, something seemed off. “He appeared troubled and distracted,” recalled his friend Sanjay Deswal. “He called us around 11 a.m. and said, ‘Let’s meet for tea and a chat.’ We thought it was just another day.”

As the group talked, their conversation drifted toward the recent suicide of IGP Y. Puran Kumar and the handling of the investigation that followed. Lathar seemed particularly agitated, expressing unease about the direction the probe was taking. “It was clear the case was weighing heavily on his mind,” said Deswal.

Moments later, Lathar received a phone call that seemed to change his demeanor. He abruptly told his friends he needed to return to his office. “He said he was heading back to the cyber cell. He left on his bike and we didn’t think much of it,” Deswal told The Indian Express. But within an hour, Deswal’s phone buzzed with devastating news: Sandeep Lathar had been found dead, lying in a pool of blood at his uncle’s farmhouse. “He lied,” Deswal said quietly. “He didn’t go to his office.”

The Video and the “Final Note”

Shortly after his death, a video recorded by Lathar began circulating online. In the six-minute clip, the ASI accuses senior officers of corruption and claims he was being harassed for exposing wrongdoing. He directly named the late IGP Y. Puran Kumar and others, alleging that he possessed “ample evidence” of their misconduct.

In the video, Lathar draws a parallel between his own decision and the sacrifices made by revolutionary Bhagat Singh. “Even Bhagat Singh made sacrifices and walked a difficult path, after which the country awakened. Today, this country will awaken when we sacrifice ourselves on the path of truth,” he says with a calm but determined tone.

His written note, found at the scene, reiterates his allegations and suggests he had been under pressure after the death of IGP Kumar. He claimed that Kumar had “killed himself to avoid family humiliation,” while hinting that the corruption scandal involved several individuals still active within the force.

The Corruption Case That Sparked the Crisis

At the heart of the turmoil lies a bribery case that surfaced just days before the two deaths. The case originated from a complaint filed by liquor contractor Praveen Bansal, who alleged that Head Constable Sushil Kumar had demanded ₹2.5 lakh on behalf of IGP Y. Puran Kumar while posted in Rohtak.

Lathar, known within the department as a skilled cyber and technical expert, was part of the CIA-2 team that intercepted and arrested Sushil Kumar in connection with the case. According to his colleagues, Sushil Kumar was furious after the arrest and allegedly threatened Lathar with dire consequences. “Sandeep was an honest cop who knew his work. He could analyze call data records and digital evidence better than most. He was brave and upright, but the kind of threats he faced after that arrest deeply affected him,” a fellow officer told Hindustan Times.

Just a day after Sushil Kumar’s arrest, IGP Puran Kumar died by suicide. The timing of the two deaths, combined with the allegations in Lathar’s note, has raised serious suspicions about the pressure and fear surrounding the case.

The FIR and the People Named

A day after Lathar’s death, his family filed a complaint leading to the registration of an FIR by the Rohtak Police. The complaint named four individuals — all allegedly connected to the late IGP or his family:

1. Amneet P. Kumar, wife of the late IGP and a senior IAS officer
2. Amit Rattan, her brother and Bathinda (Rural) MLA
3. Sushil Kumar, the head constable earlier arrested in the bribery case
4. Sunil, a police officer posted at the IGP office in Rohtak

The FIR was registered under Sections 108 (abetment to suicide) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India’s new penal code that replaced sections of the IPC earlier this year.

Virender Singh Badhkhalsa, the chief minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), personally visited Lathar’s family in Ladhot and informed them about the registration of the FIR. He also urged the family to provide formal consent for the autopsy, which the family initially resisted, citing mistrust in the investigation process.

Political Reactions and Demands for an Independent Probe

The case has sparked widespread outrage across Haryana’s political spectrum. Opposition leaders, including former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala, have demanded that the probe be transferred outside the police department. Both leaders called for an investigation under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to ensure impartiality.

“This case involves serious allegations of corruption within the police and administration. Only a judicially monitored probe can uncover the truth,” Hooda said.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, accompanied by state ministers Mahipal Dhanda and Krishan Lal Panwar, visited Lathar’s family to offer condolences and promised transparency. “We stand with the family and assure them of a fair and time-bound investigation,” Saini said.

A Pattern of Pressure and Silence

Lathar’s death, coming so soon after the suicide of a senior IGP, has cast a long shadow over Haryana’s police establishment. Both officers had been linked — directly or indirectly — to the same corruption case. Insiders say the deaths reflect deeper institutional rot, where honest officers face isolation and intimidation for challenging powerful interests.

One of Lathar’s colleagues described him as deeply idealistic and committed to integrity. “He believed in technology, truth, and transparency. But lately, he seemed frustrated. The kind of political and departmental pressure he was facing broke him,” the colleague said.

The chilling nature of Lathar’s final message — both in tone and content — suggests a man who felt cornered. In his video, he appeals to the public to recognize his sacrifice as a call for justice. For many, it’s an echo of a broader crisis in India’s law enforcement culture — where internal accountability mechanisms often fail those who try to expose wrongdoing.

The Road Ahead

The investigation into Lathar’s death is now expected to test Haryana’s political and administrative machinery. The abetment to suicide case against high-ranking officials and a sitting MLA has placed the state government under intense scrutiny. Whether the probe will remain transparent and free from interference remains uncertain.

For Sandeep Lathar’s friends and family, justice now means more than accountability — it means ensuring his death was not in vain. His friend Deswal, who last saw him alive, said, “If Sandeep’s death can bring out the truth, then maybe his sacrifice will mean something. But if the system buries it, then it will be a tragedy twice over.”