HC queries Centre, Delhi govt on failure to pay compensation to slain cop's kin

Why was a compensation of Rs one crore not paid to the kin of a cop, slain in line of duty in 2014, even after the ex-gratia was announced by the then Lieutenant Governor with much "fanfare", the Delhi High Court today asked the Centre and the AAP government.

"There was all this fanfare that Rs one crore would be paid. Then why was it not paid," Justice Rajiv Shakdher asked while issuing notice to the state and the Centre seeking their stand on a plea moved by the slain constable's wife for grant of the promised compensation.

The court sought the stand of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Delhi government and the LG.

The issue pertains to the death of Delhi Police Constable Jagvir Singh. He was shot dead allegedly by a gang of five burglers in Vijay Vihar area of Outer Delhi in the wee hours of October 13, 2014 when he and another constable tried to nab them.

All the five accused were later arrested by police.

On that day, at around 1:30 AM, when the two cops were patrolling on their motorcycle, they had intercepted an auto-rickshaw in which the five alleged burglars were moving looking for an opportunity to strike somewhere, the police had said.

According to the petition filed by Singh's wife Anju Devi, the two policemen had found guns in the pockets of two of the alleged burglars and these were confiscated.

As they proceeded to take the five persons to a nearby police station for further questioning, one of them opened fire at point blank range with a third weapon leading to grievous injury to Singh who was dragged for some distance alongside the auto before being dumped.

His service weapon was stolen and his head was smashed by the assailants, the plea said. His colleague was also injured in the incident.

The then LG, Najeeb Jung, had announced that Rs one crore financial assistance would be provided to the family of the cop who laid down his life in the line of duty.