23 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Former Punjab cadre IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly shot himself on Monday after being “defrauded” of over Rs 8 crore by online scammers. He was rushed to a private hospital with a critical injury.
In a note, he wrote, “I am in deep trouble. I have been scammed out of crores of rupees by very sophisticated investment and wealth managers. Most of the money I borrowed was from friends and relatives whom I am not able to face as I have no money to repay them. I am left with no option other than to take my life.”
Known to be a very public-friendly police officer, Chahal alleged that he had invested the money over the past decade, but instead of any returns, the company continued to ask for more money.
The former cop further mentioned that the main culprit used a picture of a CEO of a reputed company on his WhatsApp account and that “all transactions were made online through a bank”.
Before taking the step, the former Inspector General, who retired in 2019, wrote to the PM, Home Minister, Finance Minister and the Punjab DGP, highlighting the scam and how he was defrauded and demanded a CBI probe.
The note was recovered by the police from his residence and a probe is underway.
In the note, Chahal mentioned he used a service weapon allotted to his gunman and that he (gunman) should not be held responsible in any manner. “I hope criminals will not go unpunished and my family will get justice. I also request all my friends from whom I borrowed money to let my family come out of the shock before they are in a position to repay the loans,” he mentions.
“The site is named as F777 Wealth Equity Research Group and they have multiple numbers. I had borrowed over Rs 7 crore from friends and relatives and I was ashamed to face them,” read the excerpts from the handwritten note that was sent to many persons.
The former IG demanded that a CBI probe or an SIT be formed by the state police to arrest these online scammers who dupe gullible people of their hard-earned money. “A similar case of an Andhra Pradesh-based engineer who was cheated of Rs 1 crore was also reported. Therefore, the matter requires proper investigations so that money can be recovered and returned,” reads the note.
Chahal is one of the accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing case. In February 2023, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by ADGP LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in a Faridkot court naming several political leaders and senior police officials, including Chahal.
The police have started an investigation into the matter and ruled out any foul play in the incident, terming it a case of “attempted suicide”. “We are looking into the details and it is too early to reach any conclusion, though an FIR will be registered soon,” said Patiala SSP Varun Sharma.
Summary:
Former Punjab IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly shot himself after being reportedly duped of around ₹8 crore. He was rushed to a hospital and is undergoing treatment, while police have launched an investigation into the alleged fraud. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the incident and the individuals involved in the cheating case.