Gurugram: At a time when two apparent suicides have put Haryana Police in the line of fire, a cryptic couplet written by new DGP O.P. Singh in a letter addressed to the entire state police force is causing ripples in the ranks.
In his letter written in Hindi, the 1992-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, who took charge Tuesday after the government sent incumbent Shatrujeet Singh Kapur on leave following alleged suicide of IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, has urged the force to develop a sense of trust in each other’s integrity and promote equality.
In his ‘final note’, Kumar accused Shatrujeet Singh and 14 other officers of subjecting him to harassment due to his caste. Within a week of his alleged suicide, assistant sub-inspector Sandeep Lathar allegedly killed himself, leaving behind his own ‘final note’ in which he raised questions on Puran Kumar’s integrity.
In his letter, the new DGP said the true sense of democracy lies in ensuring neither the brave become arrogant about their might nor the gentle become fearful about their vulnerabilities.
The DGP starts the letter by addressing the state police force as ‘Dear Haryana Police’, and then urges the police personnel to create an environment where “a lion and a goat can drink water at the same riverbank”, symbolising harmony and equality under the law.
Pointing to India’s rich culture and legacy, the letter highlights the nation’s glorious past, highlighting its rich civilisations and ancient prosperity, which attracted invasions and led to centuries of subjugation.
He then says independent India is still a young nation, but it has made huge strides in addressing poverty, diseases and illiteracy.
In his tribute to security personnel, he has written, “Thousands of our fellow officers have sacrificed their lives for the nation’s progress. In Haryana alone, 84 colleagues have attained martyrdom. I humbly salute their supreme sacrifice.”
Pointing to the responsibilities of the state police, Singh emphasised that violence and deceit are inherent to human nature, but a civilised society demands a continuous fight against crime.
He stressed that some individuals defy societal and legal norms, and it is the police’s duty to stop them “in every home, alley, village, path, and city”. Singh urged officers to view their daily work as integral to nation-building, noting that effective policing ensures public safety, boosts business, creates jobs, and fosters a stable, self-reliant society.
The DGP expressed his desire for police personnel to be a source of inspiration and trust through their conduct. “People have endured much across generations. They seek relief, protection, and support from you.”
Quoting a couplet by Pakistani Urdu poet and lyricist Qateel Shifai, Singh underscored the importance of integrity. “Woh mera dost hai saare jahan ko hai maloom, daga kare woh kisi se toh sharam aaye mujhe. (He is my friend, the world knows; if he betrays anyone, I would feel ashamed.)”
This was followed by a message for personnel, “This era of history has entrusted you with a leading role in nation-building, and I have full faith that you will rise to this responsibility. Between right and wrong, you will always stand firmly on the side of right even if it demands a heavy price.”
Later in the day, at a solemn ceremony at the Haryana Police Academy in Madhuban, Karnal, Singh paid tribute to police officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Also Read: Haryana IPS officer’s case takes murky turn. ASI found dead, ‘final video’ alleges corruption
Who is OP Singh
Hailing from the Jamui district of Bihar, OP Singh is a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre in the state police force. Singh is scheduled to retire on 31 December.
In the IPS officers’ gradation list, Singh stands at number 4 in seniority after Muhammad Akil (1989 batch officer who is currently the Commandant General, Home Guards and Civil Defence, Haryana); Shatrujeet Kapur (1990-batch, currently sent on leave), and Sanjeev Kumar Jain (1991-batch, Director General, Haryana Human Rights Commission.)
Singh came to the limelight in Haryana for introducing the concept of ‘Raahgiri’ as part of the state’s anti-drug campaign when he was additional director general of police, (community policing and outreach) in the chief minister’s office.
The initiative was later adopted by the government for statewide implementation and became widely popular, with even then chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and several ministers participating in it.
He is the brother-in-law of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. After the death of his mother, Sushant lived and studied while staying at O.P. Singh’s home.
The mystery surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput’s death had captured national attention, and O.P. Singh, posted as Commissioner, Faridabad, then, was among those who fought for justice for him.
Sushant’s cousin, Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, is currently the MLA from Chhatapur constituency in Bihar and serves as the Minister of Environment and Forest in the Nitish Kumar government.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: IPS officer Puran Kumar’s ‘suicide’: Haryana DGP sent on leave; no decision on postmortem yet