Venkatesh KE, a constable with Bellandur Police Station in Bengaluru, would have hardly expected that a night of regular patrolling would turn into a hot pursuit and in turn, would lead to his honeymoon getting sponsored
While returning from his night-duty on July 5, Venkatesh heard cries of a local food chain employee and quickly chased the phone-snatchers on his bike. He managed to catch up to the bike-borne robbers after a 4-km chase. He then rammed his bike into that of the thieves and in the process, fell over. Even though he sustained injuries, he was able to apprehend an accused. The police have launched a hunt to find the other two.
As a reward, his seniors got him a three-night, four-day honeymoon package to Kerala, along with a paid leave and Rs 10,000 cash when they discovered he was to wed in November this year. He was felicitated during the weekly parade.
Constable Venkatesh KE
Abdul Ahad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield), told The Hindu,
“Such a gesture will not only encourage him to continue doing good work but will also prove to be an inspiration to other police personnel.”
According to Bellandur Police Station Inspector Victor Simon, Venkatesh still has injuries on his hands and knees and still limps. He has been recuperating in hospital. Simon told TNM,
“This is the reason (for the reward), we want to encourage this kind of rare bravery in the department. His determination to track and apprehend the thief and the guts he showed are very rare in the department.”
Though Venkatesh expressed that he was happy that his work got recognised, he said that there were many police personnel who do this as a part of their daily job.
This is not the first such case wherein a constable was rewarded for showing the presence of mind. In June, constable Chandrakumar C was rewarded with a motorbike, one-month holiday and cash prize by DCP(west) for catching a chain-snatcher.
