Delhi Police Launches Extensive Pre-Republic Day Security Operation
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police executed a massive city-wide crackdown targeting criminal elements across the capital. In a meticulously planned operation spanning multiple districts, law enforcement agencies raided an astonishing 2,348 locations to ensure security and maintain public order during the national festivities.
Operation Kavach-12: A Comprehensive Security Sweep
Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava revealed that Operation Kavach-12 was conducted from 6 PM on Friday through 6 PM on Saturday. This intensive 24-hour operation focused on apprehending criminals involved in various illegal activities, with particular emphasis on narcotics offenders, auto lifters, and gunrunners who pose significant threats to public safety.
Major Narcotics Bust and Arrests
The anti-narcotics drive proved particularly successful, with police arresting fifty-nine narco offenders in 55 separate cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. During these operations, authorities seized substantial quantities of illegal substances including:
- 31 grams of heroin
- 31 kilograms of ganja
- Significant amounts of cash linked to drug trafficking
Illicit Liquor Crackdown
In a parallel effort against bootlegging and illegal alcohol trade, police registered 231 cases under the Delhi Excise Act, apprehending 238 individuals involved in these activities. The seizures from these operations included:
- 12 bottles of beer
- 31 beer cartons
- 12 bottles of liquor
- 50,110 quarters of illicit liquor
Overall, a total of 1,682 people were arrested under various sections of the Excise Act during the operation.
Weapons and Arms Recovery
The police made significant progress in curbing illegal arms trade, arresting 117 individuals in 115 separate Arms Act cases. The recovered arsenal included:
- 2 pistols
- 16 country-made pistols
- 25 live cartridges
- 98 knives
- 17 mobile phones
- 1 licensed restricted weapon
Gambling Operations Disrupted
In a crackdown on illegal gambling activities, authorities registered 149 gambling cases resulting in the arrest of 261 individuals. Police seized approximately Rs 3.5 lakh in cash from these gambling operations, dealing a significant blow to organized gambling networks operating in the city.
Vehicle Theft and Recovery Operations
The operation specifically targeted auto-lifters, resulting in the arrest of 21 auto-lifters and the recovery of 33 stolen vehicles. Additionally, police seized 2,276 vehicles under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act as part of their comprehensive vehicle verification drive.
Proclaimed Offenders Apprehended
In a significant achievement, the police successfully arrested 31 proclaimed offenders who had been evading law enforcement agencies. These arrests represent a major step forward in bringing long-sought criminals to justice.
Preventive Measures and Detentions
As part of preventive security measures, authorities took 703 people into custody under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The overall preventive action resulted in:
- 4,082 individuals taken into preventive custody
- 25,300 people detained under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act
Background Verification and Tobacco Violations
Police conducted thorough background checks on 4,545 individuals with suspicious profiles, while simultaneously prosecuting 4,714 violators under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act for various tobacco-related offenses.
Notable District-Level Operations
The operation yielded several high-profile successes across different districts of Delhi:
South District Drug Lab Bust
A specialized team from the South District Police, led by ACP Mukesh Walia and SHO Paras Nath Verma, conducted a raid on a sophisticated drug laboratory in Devli, South Delhi. The operation resulted in the arrest of Emmanuel (36), a Nigerian national involved in narcotics manufacturing and distribution.
Bawana Industrial Area Factory Raid
Another team under the leadership of ACP (Crime) Anil Sharma uncovered and raided a factory in Bawana Industrial Area. This facility was involved in the fabrication of empty tubes used for manufacturing spurious cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, representing a significant breakthrough against counterfeit goods operations.
District-Wide Impact
The operation demonstrated comprehensive coverage across Delhi's various districts:
- South-East District: 94 locations raided, resulting in 72 arrests and 768 detentions
- Central District: 77 police teams conducted 303 raids, leading to 348 arrests, 2,230 detentions, and 747 challans issued
This extensive pre-Republic Day security operation represents one of the largest coordinated law enforcement efforts in recent Delhi history, demonstrating the police department's commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for Republic Day celebrations. The massive scale of arrests, seizures, and preventive measures underscores the comprehensive approach taken by authorities to address multiple security threats simultaneously.
