Patiala — In a shocking turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Punjab’s law enforcement establishment, former Inspector General of Police Amar Singh Chahal died by suicide at his residence in Patiala on Monday. The senior police officer shot himself with a revolver, leaving behind a 12-page suicide note that reveals he had fallen victim to a massive cybercrime scam.
The Tragic Discovery
Police recovered a detailed note pointing to severe financial losses and mounting mental distress caused by online fraud. According to the note addressed to Punjab Police Director General Gaurav Kapoor, Chahal claimed he had been defrauded of Rs 8.10 crore by sophisticated cybercriminals posing as wealth management advisors.
The alert came when friends of the former IG shared concerns about his potential suicide attempt with the police. Based on this information, the station house officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police immediately rushed to his residence in Patiala, where they found him with gunshot wounds. He was quickly rushed to a private hospital but remained in critical condition before his eventual death.
The Cyber Scam Untraveled
According to details in his note, Chahal’s ordeal began when he was drawn into a fraudulent investment scheme through social media platforms. The scammers operated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups under the profile name ‘F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group,’ posing as legitimate financial advisors.
From October 2025, an individual identified as Dr. Rajat Verma began sharing tips related to stock market investments, IPOs, and trading within the group. The operation was sophisticated—fraudsters used fake dashboards and employed various tactics to extract money from victims. Once Chahal invested, the scammers demanded hefty fees and additional taxes, ultimately preventing him from withdrawing any of his funds.
The psychological impact of losing such a substantial amount of money appears to have pushed the former police officer toward the tragic decision.
Desperate Appeals for Help
Before taking his life, Chahal made several attempts to seek assistance from higher authorities. He contacted the company allegedly involved in the scam as early as October 2025 and wrote to the highest levels of government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, detailing his ordeal and requesting intervention.
These pleas appeared to go unheeded, leaving Chahal increasingly desperate and isolated as his financial situation deteriorated.
A Controversial Career
Chahal’s death reignites scrutiny over a controversial career marked by legal troubles. He is one of the principal accused in the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing cases in Faridkot, incidents that sparked widespread controversy and accusations of police brutality.
In February 2023, the Punjab Police Special Investigation Team led by Additional Director General of Police LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in the case against several police officers, including Chahal, along with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal. The cases highlighted tensions between law enforcement and civil society groups and raised questions about police accountability.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores a troubling reality—that even individuals with significant authority and resources can fall victim to well-orchestrated cybercrime schemes. Chahal’s death raises urgent questions about cybercrime prevention, the need for better coordination between law enforcement and cyber fraud investigators, and the mental health support available to those who become victims of such crimes.
The Patiala police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. SP (City) Palwinder Singh Cheema confirmed that all aspects of the case are being examined, including the authenticity of the fraud claims and the circumstances surrounding the suicide.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by cybercriminals and the vulnerability of all segments of society to sophisticated online fraud schemes.
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