Varanasi: To dismantle the digital network and influence of criminals and gangs, a special campaign, 'Operation Vajrapat,' was conducted across all three districts of the Varanasi range under the direction of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Varanasi Range, Vaibhav Krishna.
Objective of Operation Vajrapat
Operation Vajrapat aims to end the dominance of criminals in the digital space. All information available on social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X—was examined. DIG Range stated that this was digital patrolling by the police. The police have also registered FIRs against identified criminals and their supporters.
This was the first major police action against criminals' presence on social media. The main objective was to completely neutralize the digital mechanism of criminals, preventing them from creating fear in society or glorifying their crimes.
Three Phases of the Campaign
The campaign was conducted in three phases. In the first phase, the cyber team identified 1,080 criminals from 165 gangs. A dossier of their criminal history, activities, and social media posts was prepared. In the second phase, profiles displaying weapons, threats, or content promoting crime were removed after technical examination. In Ghazipur, 250 objectionable profiles were removed, the highest number, followed by Jaunpur with 192, and Chandauli with 112 profiles deleted or blocked.
Now, in the third phase, financial records are being examined to trace the financial sources of criminals, followed by seizure under legal action.
Warnings and FIRs
Under the first phase, criminals were called along with their guardians and given a warning. At the second level, FIRs were registered against those involved in extortion, threats, and display of weapons.
The DIG Range said that to maintain the continuity and effectiveness of Operation Vajrapat, strict instructions have been given to officials at the police station, circle, and district level for regular monitoring and time-bound action. The progress of the campaign is being continuously reviewed by senior officials to keep cyberspace safe and crime-free in the future.
