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The condolence messages are still pouring in, the tears haven't dried. But slain police officers Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte have been drawn into yet another controversy.
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(Above) The Qualis in which Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar were gunned down | Forensic experts have handpicked blood samples of these brave officers, along with constable Arun Chitte, who was Vijay Salaskar's driver, to check the alcohol level in their blood at the time of death. Post mortem protocol says that in any unnatural death, where the cause of death is obvious and there is no evidence of poisoning, blood samples are not kept, especially if the investigating police officer has not asked for it.
Karkare, incidentally, is a teetotaller, as confirmed by his daughter, Juhi. And Kamte was off duty when the terrorists struck, but rushed to the spot when he heard the news.
Leave our martyrs alone!
MiD DAY is in possession of the covering letters prepared by forensic experts of J J Hospital's postmortem centre, addressed to the Chemical Analyser, State Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Kalina, asking them to examine sealed blood bottles of the three cops for alcohol. The letter is dated November 27, 2008.
"Was the forensic guy out of his mind when he did this?" reacted a top cop of the Mumbai police, who did not wish to be named. His outburst was aimed at the selective choice of names picked for alcohol tests.
While chemical analysis of blood (see box) is performed in cases of unnatural deaths, not all of the other 174 victims of the terror attacks have been tested.
Families livid
Family members of Karkare and Kamte have so far maintained a dignified silence, since the death of their beloved. However, this action has made them livid. "This is so demeaning," said a shocked Vinita, Kamte's wife.
"My husband, whose jurisdiction was East Region, went beyond the call of duty to take part in the police operation in the city. This is disgusting," she said.
Experts say
S D Nanandkar, professor and head of department, forensic medicine, Grant Medical College, defended the act stating, "In murder cases, we usually preserve blood for alcohol testing."
When asked why he did not follow this procedure in all the 174 death cases, he didn't say anything.
Former police surgeon, G V Uppe said, "It was not essential for doctors to keep the blood of these officers for alcohol test, as it was clear that they had been killed by the terrorists while exchanging fire."
| What is chemical analysis? |
| Chemical analysis is conducted at the FSL, Kalina. Samples are collected during an autopsy or police investigation in cases where the police need scientific assistance to get clues to the cause of death. This is done to find out the presence of poison, drugs, alcohol or chemical residues of explosives in the blood. |
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| Are cops ever off duty? |
This is the debate doing the rounds in police and corporate circles. Triggered by the terror attacks and picking up steam with blood tests of martyrs being sent for alcohol tests.
The first shots were heard around 9.30 pm on November 26, at a time when most of the personnel, and all the senior officers had left for home. Some were at family functions, while a few were in the company of friends, maybe enjoying a peg of social drinking.
The question that's raging is that in a situation like this one, what should a cop do? Should he rush to the spot of the crime (as duty beckons) or should he opt out since he may be unable to get a grip on objectivity, being under the 'influence' of alcohol.
Ahmed Javed, additional director general of police (Establishment), incidentally a teetotaller, says, "I am clear on this, any sensible officer will respond to the emergency as required by duty, even if he has had some social drinks off duty. If he is in control, he has to respond to any emergency.
Responding to an emergency is far more important than a mere technicality, if the officer is in control." |
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