Delhi police take terrorists on fun ride

Four ultras involved in serial blasts got five-star treatment on their way to a hearing in Ahmedabad; harassed co-passengers

Delhi police take terrorists on fun ride

Four ultras involved in serial blasts got five-star treatment on their way to a hearing in Ahmedabad; harassed co-passengers

We have heard tales of grisly third degree torture meted out to most dreaded criminals by the police. Here is a story with a difference.

A team of Delhi police officials taking four terrorists to Ahmedabad for a court hearing sought to better their image and treated the ultras to five-star hospitality on board the Ashram Express at the cost of their co-passengers.

Though the terrorists were handcuffed all their way to Ahmedabad they enjoyed the luxuries provided by the cops and did not miss any chance to scare the public. In fact they did not hide the fact that they were terrorists which was evident with the way the Delhi police ferried them.

"It was a horrible experience. The terrorists scared everybody in the train and even though some of us protested they did not stop abusing and threatening people. The family which was allotted the next seat had to get off the train in Jaipur. Surprisingly, the Delhi police team only smiled at their antics," said Shailendra Sinh Jadeja who was travelling in the same compartment.

Jadeja is a Congress leader from Kutch district in Ahmedabad.

"I tried to contact officials to get the matter settled but no help arrived. Now I have written a letter to Home Minister PC Chidambaram and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi," he said, while talking to MiD DAY over phone.

Though Delhi police officials were tight-lipped about the incident, sources confirmed that four terrorists were taken to Ahmedabad on August 24. "There are cases against them in Ahmedabad. They were accompanied by cops from the Delhi Armed Police (DAP)," said an official, refusing to divulge anything about what transpired during the journey.

The cops offered the terrorists all possible luxuries in the train and at Jaipur a cop even provided them a long knife to cut a lemon for their Iftaar.

"It was simply madness. How could a policeman behave like this? The terrorists had real fun in the train. They kept playing cards and the cops brought cold drinks and food from the railway canteen for them," alleged Jadeja.

A Delhi police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "There are some practical issues involved with these situations. If the terrorists are made to travel in train they can not be shielded from public view.

Moreover, till the time they are convicted by the court they have to be treated like a regular citizen. We have to provide them with food and drinks and you can't stop them from playing cards."

The other side
If the terrorists are made to travel in train they can not be shielded from public view. Moreover, till the time they are convicted by the court they have to be treated like a regular citizen. We have to provide them with food and drinks and you can't stop them from playing cards
A senior Delhi Police official

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels