Kejriwal announces highest-ever compensation for slain cop

In one of the highest such compensations, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday granted Rs one crore financial assistance to the family of a Delhi police constable who was allegedly beaten to death by suspected liquor mafia in Ghitorni area of South Delhi last week.

In a letter to Sabita, wife of deceased Vinod Kumar, Kejriwal said the government will provide all possible help to the family besides the compensation.

Fourty-eight-year-old Kumar was beaten to death by the assailants when he accompanied a team of excise department officials during a raid in Ghitorni on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Kumar was on deputation with the excise department of Delhi government.

"It is unfortunate that the police officials have to sacrifice their lives in line of duty due to systemic failures. We are with you in this moment of grief," Kejriwal wrote in the letter.

The chief minister said he would have liked to visit her personally but could not do so as he was not keeping well.

The police said the raiding party had gone to the area after receiving a tip-off that a few people were selling illegal liquor.

They said when the excise team tried to nab the accused, their associates attacked them with hockey sticks and sharp weapons. Kumar along with another constable received injuries and they were taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Kumar succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Delhi Government officials said the compensation announced by the chief minister was the highest for such cases in recent time.

Photograph: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal