Arvind Kejriwal on the first day of his office
Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal has announced a one-crore compensation for the wife of a Delhi Police constable killed last week while on duty.
Mr Kejriwal, who did not attend work on Monday, wrote a letter to the constable's wife, apologising for not being able to visit her because he is unwell.
He said in the letter, "The Delhi government, honouring your husband's martyrdom, is offering you Rs 1 crore as a mark of respect. The Delhi government and I are determined to help you and your family in every possible way."
Constable Vinod Kumar was beaten to death on Saturday, allegedly by bootleggers in Ghitorni village of south Delhi during a raid.
The 48-year-old cop was on deputation with the Excise Department of the Delhi government. The assailants attacked his team with hockey sticks and sharp weapons. Another cop was badly injured.
Mr Kejriwal, who took oath on Saturday as Delhi's Chief Minister, observed that the policeman had "sacrificed" his life in the line of duty and said, "It is unfortunate that police personnel have to sacrifice their lives to protect the law due to lapses in the system... we salute his courage, bravery and sense of duty."
His Aam Aadmi Party had, in its election manifesto for the Delhi elections, promised that if voted to power, it would award a compensation of one-crore rupees for officials who died while on duty.