Police launch Operation Kavach 12.0
Delhi Police’s North-West District carried out an intensive crackdown under “Operation Kavach 12.0”, conducting 170 raids within 24 hours. The raids led to major seizures and arrests aimed at curbing crime and strengthening law and order in the district.
The coordinated drive resulted in the arrest of drug peddlers, bootleggers, gamblers and illegal arms holders, along with large recoveries of narcotics, illicit liquor, weapons and cash.
Senior police officials said the operation was carried out between January 23 and January 24 as part of heightened preventive policing measures.
Teams fanned out across vulnerable pockets of the district to disrupt supply chains of drugs and illicit liquor, curb gambling activities and take action against unlawful possession of arms. The drive also included extensive preventive action to deter habitual offenders and maintain public order.
Additional Commissioner of Police, North-West District, Bhisham Singh said the operation reflects the police’s zero-tolerance approach towards crime. “Under Operation Kavach 12.0, we have intensified preventive and enforcement measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens. These sustained actions against drugs, illicit liquor, illegal weapons and gambling are meant to break criminal networks and create a strong deterrent,” he said.
As part of the action against narcotics, police arrested nine drug peddlers and seized 345 grams of ganja from different locations in the district. Officials said the raids were based on specific inputs and local intelligence and were aimed at disrupting street-level drug distribution that often fuels other crimes.
In a major blow to the illicit liquor trade, 21 bootleggers were nabbed and 616 litres of illegal liquor seized. Police said the liquor was being transported from neighbouring states for illegal sale in Delhi. The seizures were made from multiple locations, and the arrests are expected to weaken the illegal supply chain operating in the area.
The district police also stepped-up action against illegal arms to prevent violent crimes. During the operation, 10 persons were apprehended for unlawful possession of weapons. Police recovered eight knives, two country-made pistols and 10 live cartridges. Officials said such targeted action is crucial to prevent crimes involving firearms and sharp-edged weapons. Crackdown on illegal gambling was another key focus area. Police conducted raids at suspected gambling dens, arresting 19 gamblers.
Cash amounting to Rs 52,200 and gambling paraphernalia were seized during these operations. Police said gambling activities often attract other criminal elements and disturb public peace, making strict enforcement necessary. In addition to arrests and seizures, the Northwest District police carried out extensive preventive actions under various legal provisions.
A total of 54 persons were bound down under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS, while 91 persons were bound down under Sections 40(A) and 40(B) of the Excise Act. Under the Delhi Police Act, 18 persons were bound down under Sections 92, 93 and 97, while 895 persons were detained under Section 65. Police also seized 60 vehicles under Section 66 of the Act and detained 425 bad characters and history-sheeters as part of preventive measures.
