Following a surgery and other medical attention, the former cop continues to be under treatment with doctors monitoring him closely

Patiala police have registered a case of forgery and other offences against the cyber frauds as was alleged by former Punjab-cadre IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal who allegedly shot himself on Monday after being “defrauded” of over Rs 8 crore by online scammers.

The IG continues to be in a critical state.

According to senior police officers, they have registered an FIR under sections pertaining to forgery and the IT Act on the basis of the suicide letter in which the former police officer had made serious allegations.

“We have registered an FIR and started a probe to ascertain the role of everyone involved,” said Patiala SSP Varun Sharma. “We will ensure that the cyber thugs are brought to justice and a probe has been initiated. We will ensure that all linked to the fraud are identified and arrested,” said Sharma.

Meanwhile, following a surgery and other medical attention, the former cop continues to be under treatment with doctors monitoring him closely.

According to senior officers who have been in touch with the doctors attending to the injured former IPS officer, his condition is critical and “the next 48 to 72 hours are crucial”. Chahal was rushed to a private hospital with a critical injury. 

In an alleged suicide 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 helpful 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, Union Home Minister, Union Finance Minister and the Punjab DGP, highlighting the scam and how he was defrauded, and demanded a CBI probe.

In the note, Chahal mentioned: “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.”

“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 was ashamed to face them,” read the excerpts from the handwritten note that was sent to many people.

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.

Chahal is one of the accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing case.