Cop had plans to see groom for daughter on ill-fated day

 Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar had been sanctioned leave on the day he was allegedly attacked by hooligans among anti-gang rape protesters at India Gate on December 23, but was called back for emergency duty, his brother Naresh has said.

Citing Tomar’s post-mortem report, police claim that the 46-year-old died of heart attack on December 25 possibly resulting due to injuries on chest and neck by ‘blunt force impact’. He had been battling for life on ventilator at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital since the attack took place.

Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district-resident Naresh, who works as a clerk with Baraut bus depot, said Subhash had called him over his mobile phone on December 22, and directed him to come the Capital. They planned to visit a family in north-east Delhi’s Shahdara to meet a possible groom for Subhash’s 24-year-old daughter Jyoti.

“I reached Baghpat bus depot on December 23 to take a bus to Delhi, but I received another phone call from Subhash informing that his leave had been cancelled for emergency duty over protest,” Naresh said.

After the call, Naresh went back to his duty and decided to visit Delhi later. “I also made a phone call to the family in Shahdara and informed that Subhash’s leave had been cancelled,” Naresh added.

The 45-year-old also insisted that Subhash was physically fit, and had no history of heart disease. “Subhash was killed over being attacked by violent men amongst peaceful protesters. We also firmly believe that he had not collapsed on the ground as claimed by people who rushed to help him,” Naresh said.

Tomar, who is survived by wife Amrish Devi, a daughter and two sons, had joined Delhi Police on September 15, 1987. He was posted with Karawal Nagar police station, but was called for maintaining law and order at India Gate.

Eight persons have been detained and a case was lodged for alleged involvement in Tomar’s death under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act with Tilak Marg police station.

Police, however, have no evidence against Chaman Singh, Shankar Bisht, Nand, Shantanu, Kailash Joshi, Amit Joshi, Abhishek and Nafees Ahmad and were bailed out.