New Delhi:
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable proved to be an "angel from heaven" for the father of a girl who says he will be able to conduct his daughter's wedding only because the security personnel came to his aid and fought off robbers who had tried to snatch away his life savings.
Firoz Khan (55) says he owes his daughter's happiness to CISF constable Bhanwar Lal Choudhary, who thwarted an attempt by bike-borne miscreants tried to make off with a bagful of valuables worth Rs 3 lakh for the wedding.
The incident took place on December 2 when Mr Khan, a resident of Old Seelampur, and his wife were returning home with gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 1.50 lakh and cash of Rs 1.40 lakh saved for their daughter Nagma's wedding.
At about 8 P.M., the couple was stopped by two bike-borne persons near Seelampur Metro station who, on the pretext of asking for directions, tried to snatch the bag.
A CISF trooper posted in the bomb disposal unit of Delhi Metro's airport line, Bhanwar Lal Choudhary, who was in the area at the time on personal work, immediately lunged at the bikers when he saw them trying to speed away with the bag.
With Choudhary at their back, the bikers tried to speed away, but were obstructed by traffic. The constable, who was not on duty at the time, then managed to snatch the bag away from the duo's hand even though the miscreants succeeded in escaping on their two-wheeler.
Mr Khan has now written an emotional letter to CISF chief Arvind Ranjan praising Mr Choudhary and calling him his "angel from heaven".
"Your constable has come like an angel for me and my family. I would not have been able to conduct the January 5 marriage of my daughter had he not been there that day. I had bought the jewellery and put the cash in the bag with my life savings.
"I just wanted to bring to your notice this good man in your force," Mr Khan said in the letter he sent to the CISF chief two days after the attempted robbery.
An official said that when Ranjan inquired about the matter, he was told that such an incident had indeed occurred but the constable had humbly chosen not to discuss it with his seniors or colleagues.
CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh said the DG has decided to personally reward Mr Choudhary for "his act of promptness and courage even during his off-duty hours".
"Such men and women are worth emulating and celebrating. He would be rewarded by the force chief soon," he said.