Delhi Police has come under huge criticism after two journalists working for ABP News said that they were attacked by gunmen at the city’s famous Barapullah flyover. Journalists Siddharth Purohit and Arvind Kumar were on their way to cover the murder of a trader when they were asked to stop at the flyover by gunmen at around 1.30 am.
According to ABP News, although the driver was inclined to stop the car, he was advised to speed up. This prompted the gunmen to begin firing at them indiscriminately. One bullet hit the driver’s door, while the other ended up smashing the driver side window pane. The third bullet reportedly missed the car.
The gunmen chased the ABP crew for nearly half a kilometer. But the journalists looked back after driving for about a kilometer, their attackers had disappeared. The ABP journalists approached the cops at the INA Metro station for help, but instead of alerting police stations in the vicinity, they left the spot.
The journalists then called the Police Control Room helpline at 1:33 am. However, police help did not arrive until 3:05 am.
The development has sent shockwaves since the flyover in question is often used by hundreds of thousands of commuters travelling from Noida to different parts of Delhi. Netizens have been quick to condemn the lack of professionalism of the Delhi Police.
1) Even Reporters are not safe in Delhi. ABP Reporting team shot multiple times at Barapullah flyover by bikers .
2) Nearest police picket packed up and fled after the reporter asked for help.
Decide which of the 2 is more scary ?@DelhiPolice @CPDelhi https://t.co/5FVxjvf5mD
— Zafar Abbas (@zafarabbaszaidi) June 9, 2019
This happened on Barapullah, most of us who live in Noida/Greater Noida use the elevated road for daily commute. Scary to say the least. @HMOIndia @DelhiPolice https://t.co/MG8YxLhuPH
— vijaita singh (@vijaita) June 9, 2019
Armed men shot at the car carrying journalists from @abpnewstv on Barapullah elevated corridor. This was supposedly a robbery bid and yet another recent incident of criminals going trigger happy in the capital. Raises serious question marks on @DelhiPolice
— Sidharth Bhardwaj (@SidharthTOI) June 9, 2019
Faced with condemnation, the Delhi Police on Sunday said that they had suspended three policemen for dereliction of duty after they refused to help the ABP journalists. A statement by the city police said, “In the @abpnewshindi incident on Barapulla, case has been registered immediately and several teams constituted to work on it. 3 policemen on picket duty suspended for lack of prompt response. Investigation transferred to Crime Branch. Senior officers closely supervising the case.”
In the @abpnewshindi incident on Barapulla, case has been registered immediately and several teams constituted to work on it. 3 policemen on picket duty suspended for lack of prompt response. Investigation transferred to Crime Branch. Senior officers closely supervising the case.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 9, 2019
The Delhi Police have also transferred the case to the Crime Branch. The Delhi Police reports to the Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah.