Hard to fill the void he left behind, says family of Delhi ASI set to receive gallantry award

Hard to fill the void he left behind, says family of Delhi ASI set to receive gallantry award

“He has left behind a void which we have been trying to fill but can’t. The past year has been very difficult…”

Gayatri, a student at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, wells up as she remembers her father, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Shambhu Dayal, who died on duty last year.

On January 26, he will be posthumously awarded the President’s medal for gallantry.

Narrating the difficulties her family faced after Dayal’s death, Gayatri said, “My sister couldn’t clear her police exams due to the stress and my younger brother, Deepak, was suddenly inducted into the police. We are still scared that he might be unsafe. I am very thankful to the department but I miss papa every day.”

On January 4 last year, Dayal was taking a snatching case accused to the police station when the man stabbed him 13 times. The incident was captured on CCTV camera. Dayal’s family said he was brutally injured and couldn’t survive the attack.

“Papa was going to be a sub-inspector. His name had come in the list. We were all very excited. My younger sister had also cleared her pre-exam. However, his death changed everything. He was the sole breadwinner. Now, we are all trying to help the family. The government has been kind to compensate us and give my brother the same post my father got,” said Gayatri.

While Gayatri is pursuing a nursing course, Deepak is busy with training at the Delhi Police training center. Their sister is also preparing for certain entrance exams.

The family, which hails from Rajasthan, said Dayal was a progressive man who wanted all his kids to do well in life.  “We would hear his tales of bravery and policing and get excited. He was a caring father. He wanted me to join the medical field,” said Gayatri. Deepak, now a sub-inspector, said he is “proud” of his father and “works day and night” to prove himself.

29 police personnel to be feted

A total of 29 personnel of Delhi Police will be conferred with Police Medals for Gallantry, President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Republic Day.

The other officers to be conferred with the Police Medal for Gallantry are ACP Rahul Vikram, Inspector Manmeet Malik, Inspector Vikram Dahiya, Inspector Vinay Pal, Inspector Vikram Sangwan, sub Inspector Mohd Akmal Khan, ASI Rajeev Kumar and Head Constable Sikandar Khan. On September 27, 2023, Inspector Manmeet Malik and ASI Rajeev Kumar managed to nab a sharpshooter, Kulwant Dalal, of Gogi gang following a brief exchange of fire.

On October 19, 2023, ACP Rahul Vikram and Inspector Vikram Dahiya managed to nab Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Deepak Kumar who had fled from the custody of Punjab Police. ACP Lalit Mohan Negi, ACP Hridaya Bhushan and SI Ishwar Singh will be awarded the President’s Medal of Distinguished Service.

DCP Manishi Chandra, DCP Vinit Kumar, ACP Arvind Kumar, ACP Brahmjeet Singh, ACP Ranvir Singh, ACP Kusum Sharma, ACP Meeenaxi, Inspector Ashok Kumar, Inspector Khursheed Ali, Inspector Lakhan Singh, Inspector Rajeev Srivastava, Inspector Narender Singh, Inspector Vinod Kumar Gaur, SI (retired) P Lalji, SI Rakesh Kumar Sharma, ASI Bharat Singh and ASI Iqbal Singh will get the Medal for Meritorious Services.

For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS