AMRITSAR – A day after joining investigation, Inderpreet Singh Chadha, son of former Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha, reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself in Amritsar on Wednesday.
As per the police, Inderpreet was rushed to Ivy Hospital in Amritsar at around 2 pm, where doctors declared him brought dead. Hospital authorities have also confirmed his death due to bullet injury to the head. Police commissioner SS Srivastava, however, said he had no information about the alleged suicide. But, sources within the police have confirmed the news to HT.
Inderpreet had joined probe against his father, after an objectionable video surfaced, on Tuesday. Additional deputy commissioner of police-crime (ADCP-C) Harjit Singh had said: “Chadha’s son turned up before the special investigation team (SIT) but he said he had no idea about the whereabouts of his father.”
A few days ago, a video showing the octogenarian Charanjit Singh Chadha with a woman principal of a school run by the organisation surfaced on social media leading to furore.
Charanjit Singh Chadha was expelled from Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) Charitable Society after he was booked for sexually harassing the principal of a school attached to the society. His son, who was vice-president of the Sikh body, was also dismissed.
The principal had accused Chadha of misusing his position and “compelling her to have physical relations”. “When I refused, he threatened me,” the woman said. She added that Inderpreet Chadha threatened her on the phone.
Inderpreet Singh Chadha, who was also booked in the case, appeared before a police investigation team on Tuesday.
To those touched by his charity at PGIMER, Inderpreet was godfather
Called “Babaji” here, Inderpreet had been helping poor patients inside the PGIMER for the last half a decade.
Vikram Singh, who has been serving in the gurdwara for the last two years, said, “Nearly 700 patients have been registered and they used to get free medicines, injections and other monetary help for their treatment.” Most of these patients are those suffering from kidney ailments, cancer and other serious diseases. There were some patients who would get Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 per month for treatment. “Apart from this, more than 40 widows get pension of Rs 1,000 per month. These included women whose husbands died within PGIMER and those staying in villages of Punjab.”
Inderpreet Singh Chadha used to spend most of his day at the gurdwara.
“Two days ago, he called me at 10.45pm and told me to ensure that every person residing inside the serai has proper blankets, as it was very cold outside,” said Suchit Taneja, adding,
“He was godfather for all of us.”