Cops on probation who fought Matta, now battle for their lives

They were freshly recruited to serve the Delhi Police and were on probation period waiting to earn their stripes, so that they may become permanent officers with the force. 

Three probational Sub-Inspectors, along with several policemen, had got that opportunity on  Sunday, when they received a call of a stabbing in Ajanta Apartments. 

Leading the pack of 26 policemen, PSI Nishankar stormed into the apartment thinking that the accused would be rounded up in no time.

A policeman, who took part in the operation and stood sentry outside the apartment the next day said: “We were properly equipped to deal with the situation. When we reached the spot, he had already attacked his father and a resident. We managed to rescue them and later we found that Rahul had sought refuge in a flat,” he said.  

 But then they came face to face with a locked door and an open gas valve and on the other end an out of control Rahul Matta waiting to burn down the building.

“We kept telling him that we were going to break down the door if he did not open it. He threatened to blow up the building, so we broke down the door but by that time it was too late,” he added.

As the team broke down the door, a fireball greeted them and the policemen had to duck for cover but were unable to escape the flames. They managed to find their feet and immediately apprehended Rahul. 

The police, acting in the nick of time, managed to evacuate sixteen flats. “Six children live in that alley, they used to play there too. When the incident took place, they were fortunately playing on the ground floor. If they would have come in contact with Rahul, I can’t imagine what would have happened,” said DCP East Omvir Singh.