New Delhi: Ved Prakash Surya, the former DCP, Northeast Delhi, who was seen with the BJP leader Kapil Mishra in a video when he made an alleged threatening call seeking the removal of anti-CAA protestors, is among the police officers who have sent a request to be considered for 'President's Police Medal for Gallantry' awards.
Surya is said to have flaunted his extraordinary works to save hundreds of lives, and properties during the Delhi North East riot, which began the day after Mishra gave the controversial speech, as his performance worth being considered for the coveted awards.
Around 25 police officers, including Surya, his JCP Alok Kumar and subordinates have put their case before the headquarters for the award. Sources said most of them have cited their role during the riots.
Apart from Surya, his JCP Alok Kumar and subordinates have also requested for the awards citing their roles during the violence. The requests have been sent to the Home Department after being approved by the Delhi Police Commissioner and the request will reach the Union Ministry of Home Affairs after further vetting.
The President's Police Medal for Gallantry is awarded for acts of "saving life and property", or "in preventing crime or arresting criminals".
The President's Police Medal for Gallantry is given to police officers whose service should have saved the life and property of citizens and their roles need to be evident in preventing crime and arresting criminals.
In the request for the Gallantry awards, Surya is claimed to have brought the riot under control in three-four days and extended his help to those who made calls for assistance even amid the intense strong pelting. The request said Surya did all courageous efforts in saving hundreds of lives.
Meanwhile, in the video that has been made on February 23, 2020, Mishra can be heard warning that they would take their way if anti-CAA protestors had not evacuated from the roads, mentioning the DCP's presence.
The then Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava had approved the out-of-turn promotion to four police personnel posted with the Special Cell for their services during the violence. The Indian Express reports that the Police officers who have been promoted were part of the investigating team that arrested 21, including former JNU student Umar Khalid, Jamia Coordination Committee's media coordinator Safoora Zargar and Pinjra Tod's Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, linking their protests against the CAA to the riots.