Cop, who saved man from mob, to resume duty on Sunday; says no threat to life

A Uttarakhand policeman, who became hero for saving a Muslim man from being lynched by a mob in Nainital district, on Saturday said he didn’t receive any threat and was on leave for personal work.

Sub-inspector Gagandeep Singh said he would resume duty on June 3. He said he had applied for leave on May 21 while the incident took place on May 22.

Earlier, media reports claimed that Singh has received threats to his life, and was sent on leave.

“I had applied for the leave for personal work on May 21, before the incident happened. I didn’t receive any threat at all,” he said. He went on the five-day leave on May 29.

The policeman, who hails from Uddham Singh Nagar district, became an online sensation after his video of saving the Muslim man getting lynched by a mob went viral on the social media and other online platforms.

The incident happened near Garjia Devi temple in an isolated area, about 15 km from Ramnagar town in Nainital district. The man had gone to meet a girl from another community, according to police.

Locals caught them and alleged that the couple was found in a compromising position, and later a mob started thrashing the man.

Asked about his heroic act, Singh said he was simply doing his duties on that day. “For me, he was a citizen of my state and my country,” he said.

The incident has at least reflected a positive image of Indian police, he said while accepts there was a negative impression of police and that needs to be changed.

“People do not think positive of police. If this incident could help change the impression of the department and all my fellow policemen, then it means a lot to me,” he said.

Singh was rewarded by Nainital senior superintendent of police Janmejeya Khanduri for his act.

“Every cop is trained in dealing with such conflicts. Some handles them well, some fails. It’s not correct to give a communal colour to the incident as what he did was his duty. However, he has definitely set an example for his fellow policemen,” Khanduri said.