New Delhi: The Delhi Police crime branch has filed a chargesheet under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against an extortion syndicate that controlled vehicle movement and harassed traffic police personnel. Crime proceeds and assets worth over Rs 10 crore have been attached, sources said.
How the Syndicate Operated
The syndicate used hidden cameras, manipulated videos, and fabricated false complaints to extort money. It operated a highly organised “parallel system” of traffic enforcement that targeted commercial and private vehicle owners, according to the chargesheet. The gang, busted by a team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Yadav, sold unauthorised stickers and distinct keyrings to drivers for Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month, guaranteeing them immunity from police fines and illegal passage during restricted “No-Entry” hours.
Harassment of Traffic Police
To enforce this protection and ensure compliance, gang members filmed traffic police personnel on duty. These videos were edited and used to target the personnel. The gang threatened to upload the videos on social media to blackmail and harass the policemen. This forced traffic personnel to release the syndicate’s “protected” vehicles without penalty. Traffic department insiders allegedly colluded with the syndicate. The racket was allegedly operating for nearly a decade, police said.
Masterminds and Network
Two gangs, with their alleged masterminds Jeeshan Ali and Raju Meena, ran the show. Ali allegedly managed a network of associates, including field operators and informers, through WhatsApp groups. “These groups functioned as command-and-control centres, issuing real-time instructions on routes, coordinating checkpoints, and sharing updates on the movement and deployment of traffic personnel to ensure that vehicles carrying the stickers could pass through without hindrance,” sources said.
Intimidation Tactics
According to investigators, drivers were allegedly instructed to intimidate police personnel by claiming links with members of the syndicate whenever they were stopped. The proceeds of the operation were channelled through bank accounts in the names of the masterminds’ relatives and associates.
Raids and Seizures
During raids, police found 1,200 to 1,300 stickers and rubber stamps used to imprint changing phone numbers on the fake permits, spy cameras, a licensed pistol, and phones with incriminating data.
