The Lodhi Road police station adopted a carjacker, abandoned by his parents
The Lodhi Road police station adopted a carjacker, abandoned by his parents
However, the police who arrested Wahab two years ago on charges of attempted robbery with a toy pistol, adopted him so that he does not go astray.
Wahab, a native of Bhuj, Gujarat, came to Delhi in 2008 after his parents scolded him for flunking matriculation exams.
"I took some cash and ran to Delhi. However, the money lasted for a few days only. I started looking for work but couldn't get any. I stayed at a Sarai in Nizamuddin and sold my mobile to sustain myself. Some people asked me to turn a robber to earn some quick buck and then I bought a fake pistol," Wahab told MiD DAY.
After failing to be a success in his initial attempts, Wahab tried to break into a car at the traffic intersection near the Centenary Methodist Church, near Nizamuddin flyover on September 4, 2008. He threatened the driver Gurneeta Taneja, at gunpoint and asked her to drive. A shocked Taneja failed to drive and fought back instead. Taken aback by the sudden reaction of his victim, Wahab fled leaving his fake pistol and purse behind.
"We got Wahab's I-card of a company for which he used to work in Gujarat and a railway ticket. He was arrested from Bhuj and later released on bail," said a police officer attached to Lodhi Road police station.
However, Wahab's father Ghulam Mustafa refused to take him home for the fear of his son turning to crime or worse joining some militant outfit.
Enter the Delhi Police. In a rare gesture, Lodhi Road Station House Officer Rajender Singh thought of adopting Wahab and discussed the matter with Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) HGS Dhaliwal, who okayed the move on the argument that Wahab's reformation is their responsibility too.
"Ever since Wahab has been staying at the police station and is continuing with his education apart from working with a private company," Singh told MiD DAY.
"We took him under our care as he had great potential. We cannot just punish; reformation is our resposibility too," added Singh.
Wahab too has becomeu00a0 an unofficial member of Singh's team. He accompanies police officers to raids as he has that "reliability factor" and also helps out in routine official work. "Though the trial in the criminal case against him is still on but we will ensure that it should reach its logical conclusion," Singh said.
Wahab has become so accustomed to his work and stay at the police station that he seldom visits his home. "He goes to meet his family only once or twice a year that too on the occasion of some festival for one or two days," he added.
"I like it here. It's like family," affirmed Wahab.
His parents abandoned him for fears of Abdul Wahab, 20, being labeled a terrorist back home in Gujarat.
However, the police who arrested Wahab two years ago on charges of attempted robbery with a toy pistol, adopted him so that he does not go astray.
Wahab, a native of Bhuj, Gujarat, came to Delhi in 2008 after his parents scolded him for flunking matriculation exams.
"I took some cash and ran to Delhi. However, the money lasted for a few days only. I started looking for work but couldn't get any. I stayed at a Sarai in Nizamuddin and sold my mobile to sustain myself. Some people asked me to turn a robber to earn some quick buck and then I bought a fake pistol," Wahab told MiD DAY.
After failing to be a success in his initial attempts, Wahab tried to break into a car at the traffic intersection near the Centenary Methodist Church, near Nizamuddin flyover on September 4, 2008. He threatened the driver Gurneeta Taneja, at gunpoint and asked her to drive. A shocked Taneja failed to drive and fought back instead. Taken aback by the sudden reaction of his victim, Wahab fled leaving his fake pistol and purse behind.
"We got Wahab's I-card of a company for which he used to work in Gujarat and a railway ticket. He was arrested from Bhuj and later released on bail," said a police officer attached to Lodhi Road police station.
However, Wahab's father Ghulam Mustafa refused to take him home for the fear of his son turning to crime or worse joining some militant outfit.
Enter the Delhi Police. In a rare gesture, Lodhi Road Station House Officer Rajender Singh thought of adopting Wahab and discussed the matter with Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) HGS Dhaliwal, who okayed the move on the argument that Wahab's reformation is their responsibility too.
"Ever since Wahab has been staying at the police station and is continuing with his education apart from working with a private company," Singh told MiD DAY.
"We took him under our care as he had great potential. We cannot just punish; reformation is our resposibility too," added Singh.
Wahab too has becomeu00a0 an unofficial member of Singh's team. He accompanies police officers to raids as he has that "reliability factor" and also helps out in routine official work. "Though the trial in the criminal case against him is still on but we will ensure that it should reach its logical conclusion," Singh said.
Wahab has become so accustomed to his work and stay at the police station that he seldom visits his home. "He goes to meet his family only once or twice a year that too on the occasion of some festival for one or two days," he added.
"I like it here. It's like family," affirmed Wahab.
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