Taking cognisance of The Pioneer report about the gross dereliction of duty by police personnel posted at Chandni Mahal police station, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on Thursday ordered an inquiry.
The cops had looked the other way when 13-year-old Fahad approached Turkman Gate police post and pleaded with policemen to save his father Mohammad Shahnawaz who was being beaten by a group of five people last Sunday night.
Shahnawaz was beaten to death after his bike grazed the car of the assailants near Turkman Gate police post. The Pioneer on Wednesday had reported about the delayed action by police in coming to the rescue of a badly injured Shahnawaz, who himself made the call to the police control room (PCR).
Sources said that the inquiry has been marked under the supervision of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) level officer, who will submit the report in a week to Delhi Police Commissioner.
The incident happened on Sunday around 11.30 pm when Shahnawaz, a resident of Mata Sundari Road, was returning home after visiting his parents in Turkman Gate locality. As he reached the Turkman Gate chowk, his motorcycle grazed a car and an argument broke out which soon turned into a violent attack by the occupants of the car.
His 13-year-old son Fahad, who rode pillion on his bike, ran to the police post to request the policemen but they stood as “mute spectators” as his father was bludgeoned to death. Fahad was bluntly told by police that the “the area was not under their jurisdiction.”
Turkman Gate chowk, where the gruesome murder had taken place, has always been the bone of contention for three police stations — Chandni Mahal, Kamla Market and Daryganj.
Sources said that the two policemen, a constable of Chandni Mahal police station and Home Guard, were present at the spot when the incident took place. Senior police officials however, said that they might have not seen the attack because of the crowd and rush due to two marriage functions in the vicinity.
“There was so much of noise as crackers were being burst during the marriage functions when the incident in question took place. It is likely they might not have noticed,” a senior officer told The Pioneer.
The officer said that all aspects will be thoroughly probed and if dereliction of duty is ascertained, severe action will be taken against him,” the officer added. On Wednesday, the family members met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and demanded strict action against the guilty. Kejriwal had had assured them all possible help.