Kejriwal announces Rs 1cr compensation for slain cop

The Delhi government, on Monday, announced a Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of a 48-year-old Delhi Police constable who died after allegedly being attacked by bootleggers on Friday evening.

The Delhi government, on Monday, announced a Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of a 48-year-old Delhi Police constable who died after allegedly being attacked by bootleggers on Friday evening.

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The decision, which is in keeping with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) manifesto that had stated that any police official dying on duty would be compensated, was taken at a meeting between excise commissioner AK Singh and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Honouring your husband’s martyrdom, the Delhi government has announced Rs 1 crore compensation to your family," the government is learnt to have stated in a letter addressed to constable Vinod Kumar’s family.

Kumar had died of his injuries in a hospital after being beaten up by a group of bootleggers on the night of December 27 in a forested area in Ghitorni village near Vasant Kunj.

The said letter is addressed to Savita, the wife of the constable. The CM is also learnt to have expressed his condolences for the death of her husband in addition to apologising for not being able to meet her since he was ill.

Government sources, however, said the existing rules did not permit them to actually donate such a huge amount as compensation. "We will tweak the said rules later if need be, but the compensation package will be extended," said the source.

Meanwhile, the police arrested a 32-year-old man identified as Ravinder for his alleged involvement in the death of constable Vinod Kumar.

According to the police, the attack on the constable took place around 1:45 am when he and his colleague constable Sukhinder and two civilians, Pawan and Mukesh, reached the area while tailing two bootleggers apparently carrying liquor in their car.

This was followed by a group of 10-12 men surrounding Kumar and his colleagues and hurling stones at them and then, allegedly attempting to batter both to death.

The death of constable Subhash Tomar, who had died while attempting to stave off protesters at the India Gate monument during the December 16 gang-rape protests last year, had triggered the creation of a Martyr’s Fund for slain policeman.