In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the law enforcement community, retired Punjab Inspector General of Police Amar Singh Chahal is fighting for his life after allegedly shooting himself at his Patiala residence. The 66-year-old former officer used his gunman's licensed revolver in the attempted suicide on Monday afternoon.
A Desperate Note Reveals a Massive Financial Scam
Investigators discovered a detailed 12-page handwritten note at the scene, which paints a tragic picture of the motive behind the extreme step. The note explains how Chahal was allegedly cheated out of a staggering Rs 8.1 crore in what he described as a "highly sophisticated" online investment fraud. The scam operated through messaging platforms WhatsApp and Telegram under the name "F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group".
According to the note, the fraudulent scheme falsely claimed to have regulatory approvals and connections with well-known financial institutions to lure victims. Despite the massive financial loss, police confirmed that Chahal, a 1990-batch IPS officer, had not filed any formal complaint regarding the fraud before the incident.
Timely Alert and Critical Condition
The incident came to light when one of Chahal's friends, after receiving a concerning message from him, immediately alerted the authorities about a possible suicide attempt. A police team rushed to his house around 1:45 PM and swiftly transported him to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma stated, "Chahal is undergoing treatment and his condition is critical." The officer is currently under intensive medical care as doctors battle to save his life.
A Disturbing Pattern and Plea for Family
This tragic event marks the second such incident involving a senior Indian Police Service officer in the region in recent months. In October, Haryana Additional Director General of Police Y Puran Kumar had shot himself dead with his gunman's pistol at his Chandigarh residence.
Chahal's heartfelt note included an appeal for the protection and assistance of his family in the wake of his actions. He also requested that creditors refrain from pressuring his loved ones. Following the trail of the alleged fraud, investigators are now tracing the financial transactions and examining the digital evidence cited by the former IG in his note.
The case has highlighted the severe impact of sophisticated online financial scams, even on seasoned individuals familiar with criminal tactics, and raised serious concerns about mental health pressures within the police force.
