New Delhi: Delhi Police‘s Southern Range conducted a large-scale crime control exercise under Operation Aaghat 3.0, targeting organised crime, habitual offenders and public order violations across multiple districts, police said on Thursday. The operation, carried out under the supervision of senior officers of the South and South-East districts, involved intelligence-based checking, verification drives and targeted action against repeat offenders. These included bootleggers, drug peddlers, gambling operators and property crime suspects. Police said the exercise was aimed at disrupting criminal networks and deterring repeat offences. “As part of the drive, more than 2,850 people were rounded up during checking and verification exercises conducted at vulnerable locations. Over 600 individuals with criminal backgrounds were arrested in various cases, while 787 people were taken into preventive custody to avert potential law and order issues,” joint commissioner of police (Southern Range) S K Tyagi said. Legal action was initiated against more than 155 listed ‘bad characters’ under sustained surveillance measures. Under the Arms Act, 66 were arrested, and 24 country made pistols, 30 live cartridges and 44 knives were seized. The operation also targeted illicit liquor networks, with 60 cases registered under the Delhi Excise Act. Police arrested 60 accused and seized around 22,500 quarters of illegal liquor. In addition, 29 cases under the Public Gambling Act led to 68 arrests and the seizure of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh in cash. As part of the anti-narcotics drive, 10 cases were registered under the NDPS Act, resulting in 10 arrests and the seizure of ganja. Police also recovered 11 stolen vehicles and took action against around 350 vehicles under the provisions of the Delhi Police Act. Public order enforcement formed a significant component of the exercise, with action taken against over 400 people for consuming alcohol in public places. In property crime-related cases, police arrested five property offenders and eight alleged auto-lifters, recovering more than 460 mobile phones.
