2 Delhi Police constables arrested

Delhi Police constables Raj Kumar and Surinder Kumar were arrested today in connection with an alleged extortion bid by them on the father of an autorickshaw driver who had set himself on fire.
Uday Chand had succumbed to his injuries yesterday. He was admitted at the burn ward of Safdarjung hospital since Saturday evening with around 85 per cent injuries.
"The two constables have been arrested, further investigations are on," said a senior police official.
Delhi Police has been under pressure with Chand's son Naveen yesterday alleging that it was trying to cover up the matter. Some auto unions had also threatened to protest at Police Headquarters if their demand of the duo's arrest and registration of murder case against them was not fulfilled.

However, section 302 (murder) of the IPC has still not been added in the case.
Chand lived with his two sons, Naveen and Bhairav, at JJ colony in Neb Sarai and they had recently bought an auto and used to ply in Sainik Farm and nearby areas.

Chand's sons have alleged that the two beat constables were constantly harassing them and even asked Rs 20,000 from them as one-time bribe for letting them enter Sainik Farm.
Naveen could pay only Rs 7,000 to the two policemen, but they demanded more money. Chand approached the constables and requested that they be allowed to pay the remaining amount in installments.

However, the accused declined and threatened to frame them in a false case. On Saturday evening when the accused constables stopped Bhairav and Naveen and did not let them go home, Chand pleaded with the accused to release his sons.
According to police, Chand then went behind a truck and set himself on fire while his relatives allege that he was set on fire by the two constables.
Following the incident, Delhi Police had suspended the two constables and a departmental inquiry was initiated against them. After Chand's death yesterday, the probe was handed over to Crime Branch.