A Father Who Knew No Fear

Family of slain cop Tukaram Ombale, who helped nab Ajmal Kasab alive, strives to live by his values of courage and charity.

- Pooja Biraia Jaiswal

Over the years since the 26/11 attacks, the Ombale household has seen a steady stream of visitors, be it journalists, activists, officials, well-wishers or academics. It was assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Ombale who pounced on Ajmal Kasab, grabbed the barrel of his AK-47 rifle and did not let go of it even as Kasab continued to fire at him.

One would have thought the Ombales must have gotten used to the attention by now. But, when I arrive at their residence in Worli Police Camp on a bright Saturday morning, Vaishali, Tukaram’s 30-year-old daughter, is taken aback. She half opens the door, asks me a number of questions, and then hesitatingly, lets me in. After offering me a glass of water, she says, “Every time someone knocks on our door, we get cautious as it reminds us of the morning we were informed of our father’s death. It takes us a lot of time to trust anyone because, over these years, we have been misquoted, misrepresented and our personal details have been published against our wishes. We get letters almost every week from strangers. Of course, most of them are well-wishers, but there are some who are not. So, we want to tread carefully now. With Papa no more, we are much more vulnerable now than ever before.”