Punjab's former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal attempted suicide after he shot himself in a house in Patiala. He was rushed to the Park Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. Doctors say his condition is critical.
The police have recovered a 12-page suicide note in which he has outlined reason behind his act. According to police, Chahal resorted to kill himself due to frustration and humiliation after falling prey to an elaborate online scam. The note indicated that he was duped of Rs 8 crore, which pushed him into severe depression.
Chahal has demanded Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav to get the case investigated by SIT or CBI.
Amar Singh Chahal was living in Patiala after retiring from the IG post. Patiala SSP Varun Sharma said that police teams immediately reached Amar Singh Chahal's house as soon as they received information about the firing.
According to Police, Chahal expressed regret over his inability to recover the massive sum, which he claimed was siphoned off by cybercriminals promising high returns on investments.
The incident has sparked fresh concern over cybercrime targeting even former law enforcement officials and the vulnerabilities of high-profile individuals to sophisticated online fraud.
Amar Singh Chahal is an accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing incident. In 2023, a Special Investigation Team of the Punjab Police filed a chargesheet in the case against former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, and several police officers, including Chahal.
The former officer's suicide attempt has sent a shock wave through the police department and political circles.
The police are continuing their investigation. “We are examining the suicide note and tracing the financial trail linked to the scam. It's a grave matter, and we're treating it with utmost seriousness,” said a senior police officer.
What's written in the suicide note?
Money cheated in the disguise of wealth equity advisor:
The former IG wrote in the suicide note addressing the DGP-
“With great sadness and disappointment, I want to bring to your notice that I was cheated by some cyber thugs, who have cheated Rs 8.10 crore by calling themselves wealth equity advisors.”
Did not exercise full caution in the transaction:
“I regret at the outset that I did not exercise full caution during money transaction. In fact I found this group very active on WhatsApp and Telegram. They were claiming that they represent the DBS Group, which is authorised by the Government of India and SEBI (its chairman), to educate retail investors and help them make good profits from capital markets in a controlled manner.”
Thugs impersonated as the CEO of DBS Bank:
Former IG Chahal wrote in the suicide note that from October 28, 2025, a person in the WhatsApp group identified himself as Dr. Rajat Verma started giving tips related to the stock market, IPO and trading on a daily basis. There was a photo of the CEO in his profile, which increased his confidence. Questions were allowed in the group and answers were immediate. This strengthened the confidence of investors.
Profits shown on the dashboard, later found to be fake:
After some time, investors were shown an online dashboard, which outlined four types of schemes. Information about daily trade stocks, OTC trades, IPOs, quantitative funds was given. Each scheme showed more returns than the previous one. It was later discovered that the dashboard was completely fake.”
Profit bluff in IPO and OTC trade:
The group claimed that the DBS group gets shares at a discounted rate in the IPO and the group members will get huge allotments. OTC trades showed 30-40% and quantitative funds showed returns of more than 50%. When the question was raised, some members of the group began to defend the system, which now appears to be part of the scam network, by calling it foolproof.”
Extortion started on an attempt to withdraw money:
When I tried to withdraw Rs 5 crore, Rs 2.25 crore was recovered in the name of 1.5% service fee and 3% tax. Even after this, the money was not given and again 2 crore rupees, then 20 lakh rupees were demanded in the name of premium membership fee.
More than Rs 8 crore transferred from 3 accounts:
Chahal wrote that he transferred more than Rs 8 crore from Axis, HDFC and ICICI Bank accounts. Out of this, about Rs 7 crore was borrowed. All bank details, IFSC codes, transaction records, chats and screenshots are attached with the complaint.
Former IG demanded family's protection and refunds:
“I am suffering from mental depression and undergoing treatment. I have not yet given full information to my family. I want the protection of my family, seek relief from those from whom I have borrowed and appeal to the money recovered from me by the crooks to be returned to my family.”
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