Patiala, December 23, 2025:

Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Amar Singh Chahal is battling for his life after attempting suicide at his residence in Patiala on Monday afternoon. Police officials said Chahal, who retired as an inspector general of police (IGP) in 2019, suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and is currently in critical condition at a private hospital in the city.

According to the Patiala police, a detailed suicide note recovered from Chahal’s home indicates that he was under severe mental and financial distress after allegedly losing ₹8.1 crore to cyber fraudsters. The note suggests that he was targeted by an organised online scam that promised high returns through stock market investments.

Police said they were alerted after receiving calls from Chahal’s friends, with whom he had reportedly shared his intention to end his life. Acting quickly, a police team reached his residence and rushed him to Park Hospital for emergency treatment.

Amar Singh Chahal is also one of the accused in the 2015 Kotkapura firing case, which is linked to protests following a sacrilege incident in Punjab. In February 2023, a special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police filed a chargesheet in a Faridkot court naming several political leaders and senior police officers, including Chahal. At the time of the incident, Chahal was serving as deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Ferozepur Range. The chargesheet alleged that he abetted the illegal use of force against protesters. However, he was never arrested in the case.

Earlier this year, on February 21, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the trial court proceedings in the Kotkapura firing case. The stay order came on a plea filed by former Moga senior superintendent of police Charanjit Sharma. Other accused in the case include former Punjab Police chief Sumedh Singh Saini and then IGP Paramraj Singh Umranangal.

In the suicide note, which runs into 12 pages, Chahal reportedly explained how he fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam. He stated that fraudsters contacted him through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, posing as wealth and equity advisors. They allegedly claimed links with DBS Bank and even used the name of its chief executive to gain trust.

Chahal wrote that he was promised huge profits through stock market investments. Over time, he transferred large sums of money through bank transactions. However, when he tried to withdraw his funds, he was repeatedly asked to pay additional charges in the name of service fees, taxes, and other expenses. Despite making all the payments, he said no withdrawals were ever allowed.

Expressing regret in the note, Chahal admitted that despite warning others about cyber scams during his career, he himself failed to exercise caution. He described feeling devastated, ashamed, and emotionally broken due to the financial loss.

In the note addressed to Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav, Chahal urged authorities to form a special investigation team or hand over the probe to a central agency such as the CBI. He claimed the scam involved multiple people and bank accounts and could only be cracked by a dedicated and specialised team.

He also made an emotional appeal for his family, requesting that if any money is recovered from the accused, it should be passed on to help repay those from whom he had borrowed funds. He apologised to his family and colleagues for the distress caused by his actions.

Patiala superintendent of police Palwinder Singh Cheema confirmed that police are investigating both the suicide attempt and the alleged cyber fraud. He said preliminary findings suggest a well-planned scam, and further action will depend on the outcome of the probe.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of cyber fraud in India and its severe impact, even on experienced and well-informed individuals.

, , Z Former IPS Officer in Critical Condition After Suicide Attempt, Allegedly Lost Over ₹8 Crore in Cyber Fraud

A shocking and deeply troubling incident has come to light from Patiala, where former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal is fighting for his life after attempting suicide on Monday. Chahal, who retired as an inspector general of police in 2019, was found with a gunshot wound to his chest at his residence and was rushed to a private hospital, where his condition remains critical.

Police officials said a 12-page suicide note recovered from his home points to extreme mental and financial stress caused by a cyber fraud. In the note, Chahal reportedly stated that he lost around ₹8.1 crore after falling prey to online scammers who promised high returns through stock market investments. The fraudsters allegedly contacted him via WhatsApp and Telegram, posing as wealth advisors and falsely claiming links with DBS Bank and its top officials.

According to the note, Chahal was repeatedly pressured to reinvest profits and later asked to pay additional charges such as service fees and taxes to withdraw his money. Despite making all payments through bank transfers, he was never able to access his funds. He described the scam as highly organised, involving multiple people and bank accounts.

Chahal also expressed regret, admitting that despite advising others to stay away from such scams during his career, he himself became a victim. He apologised to his family and colleagues and requested authorities to form a special investigation team or hand over the case to a central agency to trace the money. He also appealed that any recovered amount be given to his family to repay debts.

The former officer is also an accused in the 2015 Kotkapura firing case, though trial proceedings are currently stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Police have confirmed that investigations into both the suicide attempt and the alleged cyber fraud are underway.

This incident is a stark reminder that cybercrime can affect anyone and highlights the urgent need for awareness, caution, and stronger action against online fraud.