Two Delhi Police Head Constables — Ramesh and Jitender — displayed an exemplary humanity by looking after a 78-year-old Dr Shyam Murari Kapoor, a cancer patient who died at his residence in West Delhi's Hari Nagar on Sunday.
Police said tha Dr Kapoor lived alone at his Hari Nagar residence while his two sons Alok Kapoor and Amit Kapoor, both IT professionals, reside at Hyderabad and London respectively.
Both these constables, posted at Hari Nagar police station, were deployed by SHO at his residence to take care of him on April 19. Besides, they also rushed him to hospital when he was ill and assisted in performing his last rites in the absence of his loved ones.
According to Deepak Purohit, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West district, on April 19, Dr Kapoor suffered cough and fever and he contacted the police.
"The two policemen rushed him to DDU Hospital where he was examined for Covid-19. However, his Covid-19 test was found to be negative. He was undergoing treatment for cancer at a hospital which also caused him acute feebleness," said the DCP.
"They informed his niece Dr, Mukta Kapoor, who reached there while the policemen pursued his examinations at the hospital attentively. Both shifted him to Ganga Ram Hospital where he recuperated and returned home. Yet both the policemen kept visiting him regularly and ensured his medicine and other basic amenities to be sufficient always," said the DCP.
"One medical attendant was also arranged for Dr Kapoor. He was doing well. However, he expired on April 26. When the Head Constable Ramesh and Jitender rushed to his residence after hearing about his demise, they found him lying in his bathroom," said the DCP.
"His body was taken to DDU hospital by the police and a post-mortem was conducted. Prima facie, it was a case of natural death due to Cancer related weakness. The body was handed over to Dr. Mukta Kapoor, all his last rites took place at Cremation Ground in Punjabi Bagh with the assistance of two Head constables who attended the rituals along with his three relatives," said the DCP.
“The policemen helped us a lot. They arranged medicines, provided food, facilitated the post mortem to and final rites. Only two of our relatives could come for cremation. But the policemen stood there and helped with all the formalities and arrangements.” said Mukta Kapoor.
"He was humble man and treated me like son. I spoke to him on last on Saturday night when he called me and told that he was missing his sons and wanted to meet them. I assured him that he will be able meet them soon,” said Head Constable Ramesh.
HC Jitender said they often keep a check on the well-being of senior citizens in their area.
"He treated us like one of his own. So, it was our responsibility to help him when he needed us. We had to be part of his final journey especially at a time when both his sons were stuck outside Delhi due to lockdown," he said.