On retirement day, Tamil Nadu cop dawns bloodstained cap he wore on night time of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination

IPS officer Prateep V Philip, who on Thursday retired as Director General of Police, Training, was permitted by the courtroom to put on the bloodstained cap and identify badge that he wore on the night time of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. The two objects have been taken as proof from the location of the blast and are nonetheless within the custody of the Central Team of Investigation (CBI). Ahead of his retirement, a petition was filed on behalf of Mr. Prateep earlier than the First Additional Sessions Court, which sought to permit him to put on the cap and identify badge for his retirement.

In an “unprecedented” order, T Chandrasekharan stated, ” As a result, the petition is allowed by ordering the return of the Petitioner’s Cap and Name badge marked as M.O.38 and M.O. 39 in C.C. No. 3/1992 for his interim custody on election of own bond of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh Only) and on condition that the M.O. 38 and Mo.O.39 should be handed over to the Court on or before 28-10-2021 after the purpose gets served.”ALSO READ: Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Madras HC asks TN to answer petition for Nalini’s launchPrateep stated that whereas the supplies are in his custody, his household, too, might really feel the second.”My daughter Nimisha, who was born ten days before the incident, and younger daughter Nishala, who was born in 2000 – could also live through that moment. So professionally, personally and emotionally, these are valuable objects that we have recovered from the courts’ custody,” stated Prateep.Prateep, who was a 1987-batch officer, had survived the human bomb blast on May 21,1991 at Sriperumbudur as an Assistant Superintendent of Police. “It was a scene from hell, there was fire on the red carpet. The body of Gandhi was lying akimbo, face down and completely shattered. My face was covered with blood as I touched it. I was going through the worst possible experience in life,” recollected Prateep. Recalling the horrific night time, he additional stated, “My hand was like a ball, fractured. I did not know my body had been penetrated with 100 steel pellets, with each pellet capable of killing a man. A person with just one pellet injury to the spleen had died.I was going through pain, agony, shock.”ALSO READ: Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan’s parole prolonged for fifth timePrateep’s driver had fled as he was afraid of being attacked.The retired IPS officer was put behind a jeep by a police inspector named Chacko. “After putting me in the jeep, Chacko said he had to save others who were injured. I could not say anything much as I was half conscious,” he added.Prateep stated he has waited about 30 years to get again these private souvenirs of defining moments in his life. They have been collected by the Special Investigation Team as a part of proof from the scene of the crime, and have remained within the custody of the trial courtroom since then.”I nearly died while in the line of duty. These are symbols of that providence when I was saved from severe injuries. I still carry hundreds of steel pellets in my body,” Prateep stated.After a 12 months, Prateep recovered and went on responsibility. In 2003, he obtained the Prime Minister’s Medal for Meritorious Service and in 2012, he obtained the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service.ALSO WATCH: Kamal Haasan joins marketing campaign demanding launch of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts