A first: Woman cop leads charge on goon

Inspector Arti Sharma made history on Wednesday. She not only became the first woman officer of Delhi police to lead an all-male team but also faced firing from an armed criminal.

Inspector Arti Sharma made history on Wednesday.

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She not only became the first woman officer of Delhi police to lead an all-male team but also faced firing from an armed criminal on Wednesday evening, two days before International Women’s Day.

Veteran of many an operation, Sharma, 47, not only led the eight policemen to trap wanted criminal Arvind Sharma but also showed alertness and courage when he opened fire at the team. One of her team mates, head constable Shyam Lal, was injured in the firing.

Senior police officers have praised Sharma for her courage and are planning to nominate her for a gallantry award. Also, two male members of her team, including Lal, will get out-of-turn promotion.

“She is the first woman inspector to lead a team. This is the first time that a team led by a woman officer nabbed a wanted criminal,” additional CP (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav said.

Yadav said Inspector Sharma and her team had laid a trap at Janakpuri around 9:30pm. He said the team knew that Arvind Sharma was going to come to collect money from someone.

“He was in a black Santro car. Inspector Sharma and her team immediately surrounded his car but he opened fire twice to escape. Head constable Shyam Lal was hit,” Yadav said.

Talking to media, Inspector Sharma said, “We knew that he would be armed, so we went fully prepared.”

Her advice to other women: “Don’t be scared and always face life with determination and courage.”