After solving crimes, Inspector Jasmer targets kabaddi

MUMBAI: As the second edition of the Pro-Kabaddi League (PKL) neared, most players were trying hard to get into shape for the contest. But, just two weeks before the tournament, Dabang Delhi’s captain Jasmer Singh had more important matters to deal with. He was busy investigating the kidnapping and murder of an eight-year-old boy in the Karnal district of Haryana, where he is posted as an Inspector with the Haryana Police.

It’s been six months, since Jasmer was given his posting. In the ensuing time, the 32-year-old who was part of the Indian team which won the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, has been part of eight cases ranging from murder, kidnapping and dacoity.

“In the past year, it was decided that sportsmen from all departments must also participate in the regular duty,” Jasmer said. “The experience is quite different to playing a sport. The life is much tougher for policemen,” he added.

As part of his job, Jasmer is tasked with recording facts at a crime scene, including taking pictures of dead bodies, murder weapons, entry wounds, et al.

“There have been instances when I get a call from the police station while I am training,” says Jasmer, who is posted at the Sadar station house in Karnal. “Just a few weeks ago, I was asked to retrieve a body of an eight-year-old boy, who’s kidnapping was being investigated by my team. The body was found in a sewer, I was tasked with taking it for postmortem.”

“It was obviously one of the hardest tasks I had to ever perform. But I do not like to think about it too much and instead try and focus on kabaddi when I am off-duty,” Jasmer added.

Far away from the world where he polices the gory world of crime, Jasmer is now focused on the task at hand, that of doing what he does best, playing kabaddi.

“I don’t see my job as a policeman and as a kabaddi player as two different worlds. It is all part of who I am. Right now I am captain of Dabang Delhi tasked with leading my side to becoming champions of the PKL,” Jasmer added.

I don’t see my job as a policeman and as a kabaddi player as two different worlds. It is all part of who I am. Right now I am captain of Dabang Delhi tasked with leading my side to becoming champions of the PKL

JASMER SINGH, Dabang Delhi player