Ex-CBI Director Ashwani Kumar Found Dead at Shimla Residence: Cops

The late IPS officer had also served as the Governor of Nagaland, as well as Manipur for a brief period.

(Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)

Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Ashwani Kumar was found dead at his residence in Shimla on Wednesday, 7 October. The late IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre was found hanging at his residence, ANI reported, quoting Shimla SP Mohit Chawla. He was 69-years-old.

A senior police officer told IANS that a suicide note was found from the crime spot. The note is being verified with the family, police have said, according to NDTV.

He, along with his wife, was seen strolling in the evening in the city, a neighbour told the police. Sources told IANS that Kumar was battling depression for sometime now.

Kumar was Director of CBI between 2 August 2008 and 30 November 2010 and prior to that, served as DGP for Himachal Pradesh between 2006 and 2008.

After his retirement from the CBI, Kumar had settled down in Shimla and worked briefly for a private university located near here as its chancellor. The university is currently facing charges of issuing fake degrees.

He was the first police officer from the state to head the CBI and was in charge of the body when it investigated the infamous Aarushi Talwar murder case. He had also served as Governor of Nagaland from 2013 to 2014, as well as Manipur for a brief period.

After his retirement from the CBI, Kumar had settled down in Shimla. A 1973 batch IPS officer, Kumar is survived by his wife and son, IANS reports.