The Punjab government on Saturday found itself grappling with yet another controversy: IAS officer Sanjay Popli’s son Karthik diesEven though a team had come to the officer’s house to search as part of the investigation into allegations of corruption.
There were several discrepancies in the statements of officials, including the police and the Vigilance Bureau. Vigilance team was accompanied by police personnel and Popli during the search.
Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Chahal told Indian Express that Karthik committed suicide with a licensed weapon, and that the Vigilance Bureau “went to some investigation, but did not enter the house when gunshots were heard from inside”.
During the day, he told media persons that the Vigilance officers were in the house when the incident took place.
Chahal also claimed that the officers reached the room from where the sound had come, and found him locked. “When we broke open the door, we found that he had committed suicide,” Chahal said.
At a press conference in the evening, the Vigilance Bureau refuted claims of Mr. Popli, Karthik’s mother, that its officers had “killed” Karthik, while claiming that they “went back” before the incident took place. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar said they had “left” after effecting recovery from “a shop in the yard (of the house).” “The Vigilance Bureau did not enter Popley’s house.”
A Vigilance Bureau official told The Indian Express that the Chandigarh Police broke open the door of the room where Karthik was “20 minutes after he committed suicide”.
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There were also different versions about the weapon with which Kartik allegedly killed himself. On June 20, a day after Popley’s arrest, the Vigilance Bureau claimed to have found “unaccounted cartridges” during a search of his home, which were allegedly not for a licensed weapon. Popli was booked under sections of the Arms Act.
But, Vigilance Bureau officials involved in the investigation on Saturday after Karthik’s death said the family had a 0.3 bore licensed weapon containing 10 cartridges, which were not seized during searches as these were “legal”.
As to why Popley’s family didn’t take away the valuables they had recovered on Saturday after his arrest, an investigator said, “Popley may not have told them about the gold and other items. Not everyone knows everything to family members.” telling.”