Sixty-two-year-old, who runs catering business, fearlessly intervenes to stop violent man who had smashed a brick on cop’s head at Girgaon; wins letter of appreciation from Addl CP
Chef Tehmtan Dumasia at the Ripon Club at Kala Ghoda in Fort on May 15. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Super chef Tehmtan Dumasia, 62, turned superman for a young police constable who was violently attacked by a drug addict at Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai on the morning of February 6. As soon as he witnessed the police officer, who was sitting on his bike, being struck on the head with a sack containing a paver block, Tehmtan rushed to restrain the assailant, stirring up the courage of other onlookers. The chef’s bravery has been acknowledged through a letter from a top police official.
Super chef is Superman. After restraining the assailant, Dumasia went to the Gamdevi police station to ensure he didn’t escape. Illustration/Uday Mohite
Recalling the incident, Tehmtan said, “I am a caterer for a south Mumbai club. I was returning home from there at approximately 7.30 pm. I was waiting at the Girgaon Chowpatty signal. The traffic light turned green, and just as I started moving, from the corner of my eye, I witnessed a young constable sitting on his bike, parked on the side. He must have been on patrol and was watching people walk by on the promenade.”
Head smashed
Tehmtan thought it was business as usual until, he said, “I saw a man come up behind the constable and hit the back of his head with something. This object was wrapped in a gunny sack, but I could see that it was paver block. As soon as this man hit him, the constable clutched his head, and I saw him bloodied and trembling. It happened very fast, there was no time to think. I parked my scooter on the side and ran to help the police officer.”
Restrain row
Tehmtan said he kept his wits about him. He added, “I held the attacker by his hair. I recall that because he was filthy, shirtless, wearing pants and ‘Keds’. I learnt later that he was a drug addict. I do not know why he hit the constable, but it may be because he had been reprimanded by this officer earlier in the day, I was told later. I remember that the attacker was very strong and he tried to loosen my grip, but I held tight and shouted for help.”
Chef Tehmtan Dumasia cooking at the Ripon Club, Kala Ghoda, Fort on May 15. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
As Tehmtan held steadfast and shouted, a couple of people arrived to help. The chef said, “They were wary, obviously hesitant and scared to get involved, but eventually, they overcame that hesitation and assisted me in restraining this culprit.”
Duty done
The noisy northbound traffic was whizzing past near the selfie point at Chowpatty, where the incident occurred. Tehmtan continued, “Miraculously, I was heard as I shouted at some personnel inside a police van stationed at the corner of Chowpatty. The van arrived, and the bleeding cop was sent in it to the closest hospital at Mumbai Central. Then, other cops came running to the scene. One was in some kind of commando uniform, I think. We held on to the attacker, while another van came from Gamdevi police station, and the assailant was whisked away in that vehicle.”
Another person may have decided that was all, but Tehmtan wanted to ensure that he completed the job and went personally to the police station. “I made sure he was cuffed to the handrail, and only then I left,” he said.
First responder
Tehmtan, who said in response to a question that he has no training in the martial arts, added, “I am blessed with a very strong body, and I am the kind of person who does intervene when witnessing any kind of trouble. I do jump in to help, and if my action is helpful, even to a small extent, I consider I have done my duty. I hope more people find it worthwhile to become Good Samaritans and make our cities safer,” signed off the chef, who did not contact the constable after the incident but did learn that he is from the DB Marg (Lamington Road) police station.
Write right
Last month, ‘Tough Tehmtan’ was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from Dr Abhinav Deshmukh, additional commissioner of police, south region, Mumbai. The one-page communication read: “I extend my deepest appreciation and heartfelt congratulations for your timely intervention on February 6, 2025, at Selfie Point during an incident that could have ended in tragedy. Your selfless act in assisting Police Constable Shivaji Ugale, who was under attack by a violent assailant, was nothing short of heroic. Your presence of mind and quick response helped neutralise a highly dangerous situation. In times when many may choose to be bystanders, your actions stood as a beacon of civic responsibility and humanity. Once again, we thank you. I express sincere gratitude for standing with us when it mattered the most.”
Police Speak
Tehmtan said, “This was such a moving letter and there is a message there, inspirational for all, that we should not just watch, even taking photos/videos as is the case today, or walk away, afraid to get into a ‘police jhamela’ as we say in local lingo, but do our duty as citizens.”
Deshmukh said, “I want to tell people that when you witness/see a person in trouble on the road, a victim of road rage or an accident perhaps, or in any other trouble, do not hesitate to intervene in good faith. Good Samaritans will not face any harassment from the authorities.” As for TD, Tehmtan Dumasia or Tough Dude, in this case, what can one say except: “compliments to the chef”.
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