Never saw myself standing with IPS officers to shake commissioner’s hand: Cop rewarded for preventing major burglary

“The invite was even more moving than the award he gave me. Never did I see myself standing in queue with IPS officers to shake the commissioner’s hand,” says Suresh.

His journey to the commissioner’s office started on October 15.

Around 3 am, Suresh, posted at the Paschim Vihar West police station in Outer Delhi, was out in an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) at Chaudhary Prem Sukh Marg, with Constable Arun at the wheel.

“I saw two Maruti Eco vehicles parked on the road one after the other. Two men each were inside… I asked the driver of the first vehicle to come out for a routine check,” says Suresh.

Two men came out of the vehicle and quickly went towards the one behind. The back door of the second vehicle opened, the two got in and the van fled.

“I still didn’t assume that they were criminals. People have a tendency to run away when they are asked to stop at night by police,” says Suresh.

However, the vehicle now had to be chased down.

Soon, Constable Arun started the ERV, with Suresh by his side, and a high speed chase ensued.

“We went after them… At Durlabh Nath Marg, the vehicle had to stop as the road was barricaded on the instructions of the DCP (Outer) Sachin Sharma. So, the Eco vehicle turned and went towards Dhobi Ghat,” Suresh says.

Suresh and Arun followed. At another turn, the Eco found another barricade.

“It was then that the four men abandoned the vehicle and started running towards a narrow lane. Our ERV wouldn’t enter the lane and so, I and Arun started chasing them on foot. Soon, the four men fled in different directions. So, we decided to go after one of them to ensure at least one is arrested,” says Suresh.

While Arun is young and way faster, Suresh is 55 years old. Nevertheless, Suresh chose to run.

On the way, trying to catch his breath, Suresh worried what if the accused had a weapon. “I pushed myself and caught the accused with Arun. I am especially proud of my run, I won’t deny,” Suresh chuckles.

The man they caught was Laxmi Narayan Bansal (53), who had come out on bail just four months ago. Suresh and Arun had just caught hold of one of the most notorious auto-lifters in the area.

“Bansal has been involved in over 70 cases of theft, including under the Motor Vehicles Act, and burglary across Delhi. His journey began in 1991, with him being repeatedly arrested for stealing iron and coal as well as breaking into shops and godowns,” DCP Sharma said.

During questioning, Bansal told Suresh that he has two more Eco vehicles, hidden in Rohini. When Suresh asked him why he was taking such an active interest in Eco vehicles, Bansal told him he was preparing for a major heist.

“After he was released from jail, he conducted detailed reconnaissance of a battery godown in Mundka Industrial Area, and stole four Eco vans in preparation for a heist planned within the next 1-2 days. His arrest effectively prevented a major burglary,” the DCP said.

Suresh, meanwhile, is not allowing the laurels to slow him down.

“I am thinking about catching the other accused. The respect the commissioner showed towards me, I want to feel that again,” he says.

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