A 49-year-old Delhi Police Inspector posted with the Special Cell has died due to Covid-19 at South Delhi''s Max hospital, police said on Wednesday.
Inspector Sanjeev Kumar Yadav was on ventilator support since his condition was critical and died on Wednesday morning, they said.
He had complained of fever and breathlessness, following which he was tested for Covid-19. His result came positive after which he was admitted to the Max hospital around 15 days back, police said.
He was also given the plasma therapy and was out on ventilator since he was in a critical state, a senior police officer said.
Yadav was posted with the south-western range of the Special Cell and received the police medal for gallantry this year for arresting a dreaded criminal — Bharat Bhushan — on May 2, 2018 after a encounter.
The accused was the kingpin of a gang which was involved in a cash van robbery in outer Delhi''s Narela in which two bank employees were shot dead. The remaining four active members of the gang were also arrested later.
“During his posting with the Special Cell, Yadav came face-to-face with armed criminals on no less than thirteen occasions, each of which involved an exchange of fire.
“However, owing to his courage, intelligence and professionalism, the officer ensured that all his team members remained safe while the criminals were apprehended,” the police said in a statement.
Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the officer arrested dreaded criminals like Bijender, a member of the notorious Karambir alias Kala gang, and a wanted sharp shooter — Vikas alias PK of the Nandu Gang, they stated.
Yadav was also the recipient of 25 Commendation Rolls, 13 Commendation Certificates and 26 Commendation Cards issued by the Delhi Police.
He was earlier posted with the crime branch and the Railway and district units of the Delhi Police.
He enlisted in the Delhi Police on September 3, 1996 as a sub-inspector.
He was promoted to the rank of inspector on September 1, 2015 and assigned the charge of Inspector (ATO) at Tughlaq Road police station in New Delhi district.