Plain-clothes cops face night assault

3 youths attack them, snatch pistol

 Two Delhi Police personnel were allegedly beaten up by three youth, and one of the cops’ pistol was snatched away, following an argument over a minor issue in South Extension Part-2 on Wednesday.

Manoj Kumar, an assistant sub-inspector posted with the special staff of south district police, and his colleague Rajesh Kumar, a constable with the special cell, were involved in the incident.

The two cops along with another colleague, Nirbhay Rana, a sub-inspector with the crime branch, were coming out of a restaurant after having dinner when the incident happened at 11 pm.

“Not only were they attacked, but an official 9 mm pistol of ASI Manoj was also taken away by the attackers, who fled in a Mahindra Xylo,” a police official said.
Manoj’s pistol was tucked in his waist and was connected with a rope, but the youth managed to snatch it.

In his statement to police, ASI Manoj said he had left office with his official pistol and 10 live cartridges to gather information about some accused involved in a case of burglary at a jewellery shop in South Campus.

“I reached South Extension Part-2, where I met my colleagues and we had dinner at a restaurant in the basement of shop number C-14,” ASI Manoj said in his complaint.
“After dinner, when I came out from the basement, I saw three youth beating up constable Rajesh. Since all three of us were not in uniform, I told the attackers that we are policemen. But the youth did not stop and even attacked me. They snatched my pistol and fled in a Xylo SUV,” he added.

ASI Manoj and constable Rajesh were taken to the AIIMS trauma centre for treatment of minor injuries.

A case of causing hurt under section 394 of the Indian Penal Code has been lodged with Hauz Khas police station. By Thursday evening, police arrested two of the attackers, identified as Mahabir and Randhir, both residents of Kotla Mubarakpur. “Efforts are on to nab the third attacker,” the official added.