Capital’s war on drugs hid an extortion ring

The arrest of Inspector Subhash Yadav, who previously headed the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) in Dwarka district by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has caused tremors within the Delhi Police. Inspector Yadav is accused of running an organised extortion racket. The CBI probe has uncovered large sums of cash, hidden assets, and a Rs 100-crore money trail, far more than an inspector could earn.

Yadav turned the Dwarka Anti-Narcotics Cell, Dwarka district into an extortion ring that protected foreign drug peddlers and terrorised innocent people by planting evidence. Now, the former unit head stands exposed as the kingpin of Rs 100-crore racket. Cash, benami properties, and rumours of senior IPS officers’ involvement have turned what started as complaint for seeking bribe into a major scandal shaking the Delhi Police.

The case began on April 20, 2026, when a five-member team from the Dwarka ANC raided a woman’s home in Uttam Nagar. In her complaint to the CBI, she said the officers forced their way in, planted cannabis from their own bag, and threatened to charge her with fake narcotics possession.

At first, they demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh to let her go. When she refused, one officer called a superior named “Subhash,” and the demand dropped to Rs 15 lakh. Later, Head Constable Ajay told her to pay Rs 5 lakh and was eventually caught by the CBI accepting Rs 2 lakh.

On April 21, after the complaint, the CBI filed an FIR under corruption laws. Investigators found that Constable Ajay acted on Yadav’s orders and that Yadav continued to play a major role in the Dwarka district even after his transfer. This is now being reviewed as a possible misuse of authority.

In late April, the CBI raided the Dwarka ANC office. A power cut allowed Yadav to briefly escape. Investigators found Rs 48.9 lakh in cash in his office.

Yadav was missing for weeks until he was questioned on May 11, which led to his arrest and extended court custody. The court also noted phone calls between Yadav and other officers during the raid.

Finding Yadav’s wealth turned the case into a larger scandal. Financial investigations found suspicious transactions over Rs 100 crore, and some sources say there was extortion of up to Rs 50 lakh per case. The unit reportedly targeted businesspeople and people involved in the drug trade, running a system that created fake narcotics cases to force settlements.

Currently, the agency is tracking the entire money trail. Investigators are examining bank accounts, digital records, and possible connections to drug syndicates. As unit head, Yadav is believed to have orchestrated these operations with little interference. During questioning, Inspector Yadav reportedly named three senior IPS officers.

The CBI has not released or confirmed any names. The agency is investigating whether senior leaders protected the Dwarka unit or participated in the alleged Rs 100-crore scheme.

Sources say the CBI sent a detailed report to central authorities, including the MHA, which oversees the Delhi Police. This has led to high-level transfers and concerns at the Centre about oversight and leadership in the Delhi Police.

The Anti-Narcotics Cells of the Delhi Police are meant to fight drug trafficking. But this case suggests that some units may have started preying on citizens instead. The scheme reportedly targeted innocent people and small players in the drug scene. Officers planted evidence and threatened to file false cases, which hurts public trust and real drug enforcement. Yadav’s ability to avoid arrest and the amount of his alleged wealth suggest there may be bigger problems with oversight and asset checks.

The investigation is still ongoing. CBI officials say more people are being questioned, and the focus is now on the whole financial network, past cases handled by the Dwarka ANC, and whether senior officers were involved. Yadav’s custody has been extended, and the courts are staying closely involved as the inquiry continues.

As the CBI continues its investigation and the MHA reviews the report, there could be more arrests, major reforms, or a wider cleanup in the coming weeks. For now, Inspector Subhash Yadav’s arrest has revealed a hidden economy operating within law enforcement. According to an insider who asked not to be named, the full truth may involve many more people.