Delhi Police successfully concluded a comprehensive 72-hour operation, dubbed 'Operation Chakra 72,' in the city's North district, leading to the arrest of 193 individuals and the registration of 154 First Information Reports (FIRs). The intensive crackdown, which ran from the night of August 24 to August 27, aimed to dismantle networks involved in various illicit activities across the region.
The primary focus of 'Operation Chakra 72' was on organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, illegal liquor trade (excise violations), and gambling dens. Police teams meticulously targeted identified hotspots and individuals suspected of involvement in these criminal enterprises.
Leadership and Operational Scope
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Niharika Bhatt, oversaw the extensive operation. She was supported by Additional DCP-I Pukhraj Kamal Gupta and Additional DCP-II Ram Dulesh Meena. The initiative saw the active participation of all police stations, sub-divisions, and specialized operational teams within the North district, ensuring a wide and coordinated reach.
Key Seizures and Arrests
Illicit Liquor
In cases related to excise violations, authorities recovered approximately 10,000 quarters (bottles) of illicit liquor. This segment of the operation resulted in the arrest of 63 individuals involved in the illegal trade of alcohol.
Narcotics Crackdown
A targeted campaign against drug hotspots led to significant seizures of narcotics. Police recovered 1.975 kg of ganja, 39.2 grams of heroin, 544 grams of charas, 240 buprenorphine tablets, and 500 Avil injections. Twenty-one individuals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In one notable case, charas and tablets were seized from a suspect who admitted to sourcing them from Himachal Pradesh.
Illegal Arms and Gambling
The crackdown on illegal weapons led to the arrest of 22 people. Officers confiscated 22 knives, three country-made pistols, and two live cartridges. Separately, efforts against illegal gambling resulted in 87 arrests, the registration of 50 cases under the Gambling Act, and the seizure of ₹1.69 lakh in cash, along with two mobile phones and playing cards.