A retired Punjab Police inspector, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, allegedly died by suicide as he shot himself at his house at Ekroop Avenue on Majitha Road here on Thursday.
Police said the investigation is on to ascertain the cause.
Shivdarshan Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West), said, "Police and forensic teams have been trying to find if it was an accidental fire or a suicide. Following initial reports and the statements of the family, appropriate action would be taken.”
He said the family was in shock and yet to record their statements. The incident occurred at around 11.30 am.
Randhawa had retired from the city police four years ago. He had been posted as SHO besides working in the Special Task Force formed to combat drug smuggling.
According to police, he had been battling with depression for a couple of years. He had been facing a number of inquiries, including a CBI probe in connection with an NDPS Act case.
Vinod Kumar, SHO, Sadar police station, said the police had started inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sakashya Sanhita.