Kiranpal Singh’s mother sits in a small, dimly lit room in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, surrounded by memories of her son. The room, once filled with life, now feels hollow in his absence. The 28-year-old Delhi Police constable was the family’s sole breadwinner. His untimely death on November 23 has left his family shattered, struggling to imagine a future without him.
The family of three—Kiranpal, his mother, and his disabled elder brother—leaned heavily on Kiranpal’s earnings and love. Now, with his death, their survival is in question. Kiranpal’s mother has secluded herself in the house where her son grew up, unable to reconcile with her loss.
The tragic events that led to Kiranpal’s death began in the early hours of November 23, near Arya Samaj Mandir in the Govindpuri area of Delhi. Around 4:30 AM, Kiranpal, along with Constables Banai Singh and Sunil, was stationed at a police booth as part of their routine duty. Sunil left the booth at approximately 4:45 AM to deliver official documents to the police station, leaving Kiranpal and Banai on duty.
When Sunil returned, Kiranpal was missing. Banai informed him that Kiranpal had stepped out a few minutes earlier. By 5:00 AM, Sunil’s concern grew when Kiranpal had not returned. He tried calling Kiranpal several times, but there was no response. Sunil began searching the area, and eventually, he found Kiranpal lying unconscious near the entrance of Gali No. 13 on Sant Ravidas Marg, suffering from severe stab wounds. Sunil rushed him to Majidiya Hospital, but it was too late—doctors declared Kiranpal dead on arrival.
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According to the investigation, Kiranpal had stopped three individuals riding a scooter who appeared suspicious. Allegedly, they were planning to rob houses in the area. Despite the individuals hurling stones at him, Kiranpal stood his ground, even taking the keys to their scooter. Moments later, one of them pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed him. The accused fled, leaving Kiranpal critically injured. Local police promptly secured the crime scene and launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses.
A case was registered under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. Two of the accused, Krish Gupta, 18, and Deepak Singh, 21, have been apprehended, while the main accused, Raghav alias Rocky, was killed in a police encounter in Sangam Vihar.
The loss of Kiranpal has left his family struggling both emotionally and financially. Manju, a relative, shared, “Not a single moment passes by that she (Kiranpal’s mother) does not think about how life would have been if he had taken up the subject he had completed his Master’s degree in.” Despite holding a Master’s degree in English, Kiranpal chose to become a police officer—a profession he had always dreamed of. “He loved the khaki more than himself. We are just glad that he laid down his life in uniform, doing what he loved most. His dedication was unparalleled,” Manju added.
Kiranpal’s maternal uncle, Kalicharan, who helped raise him, recalled the sacrifices Kiranpal made to join the police force. “ He would wake up early every morning, warming up for hours. He would take multiple laps across the society, and then would study late into the night, only to fulfill his dream of some day working for the people of Delhi. However, he was mainly motivated by the fact that he had to support his family. It was always at the back of his mind,” Kalicharan said, his voice heavy with emotion. Kiranpal’s determination to succeed and support his family defined much of his life.
After Kiranpal’s father, Dwarka, passed away two years ago, the responsibility of looking after the family fell entirely on Kiranpal. Even when his father was alive, their situation was challenging due to his declining health. “His father used to manage by himself earlier; however, as time passed, his father started to fall sick more frequently. It made maintaining the household a bit difficult. Yet, he tried his best. From a very young age, Kiranpal made the decision to help his family and improve their situation. I used to help the family, but even my situation had deteriorated,” Kalicharan added.
Prempal, another relative, described Kiranpal’s close bond with his maternal uncle. “He toiled tirelessly at various construction sites, day and night, to fund Kiranpal’s education. He is barely recovering now. This has inflicted a grievous wound on his heart. Kiranpal was not just well-mannered but also exceptionally hardworking. His dream was to serve the public, but tragically, both his aspirations and the family’s hopes have been crushed.”
Suresh, another family member, recalled Kiranpal’s dedication to his education. “Kiranpal, a diligent student, cycled daily to college in Amargarh, Uttar Pradesh, never missing a class. His unwavering commitment to his studies led to academic excellence. Recently, we had started talking about getting him married off, but just as the discussion began, he died,” Suresh sighed.
Kiranpal joined the Delhi Police in 2018. Initially posted in the security unit, he later served in the Delhi Armed Police before being transferred to the southwest district. In March, he was assigned to the Govindpuri police station. His colleagues expressed deep sorrow over his untimely passing. One remarked, “He was truly hardworking and dedicated to his duties.”
The day Kiranpal’s body was received at the police station was filled with solemn silence. His colleagues offered him a final salute, and Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, along with Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Mashup Kumar Tiwari, commemorated his sacrifice. Officers gathered to bid farewell to one of their own, remembering his dedication and bravery.
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Just a few days after Kiranpal’s death, the family continues to reel from the impact of their loss. In their hometown in Uttar Pradesh, they face an uncertain future, having lost the light that guided them. Kiranpal was not only a provider but also a symbol of hope for a better life.
On November 24, at 11:30 PM, Rocky, the main accused, was killed in a police encounter in Sangam Vihar. He had fired five rounds at the pursuing officers before being shot down. The encounter brought a grim sense of closure, but it did little to heal the wounds of those left behind—a family now struggling to find their way forward without their pillar of strength.
