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Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘We take every call seriously… even if it turns out to be a hoax'
Last year, when a private school in Outer Delhi's Paschim Vihar received a bomb threat in an email on December 20, around 20 personnel — including officers from the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and the Bomb Detection Team (BDT), Delhi Fire Service, and even Cyber Police — were sent to the site. The threat turned out to be a hoax. It added to the list of similar emails sent to more than 200 schools in the Capital last year. Each time, a batch of 20-22 personnel was sent to the site of the incident. 'Six to seven members of the BDS, six members with the BDT, six to seven members of the local police stations, the SHO of the Cyber Police station, and two members of the dog squad are sent to the site in such cases,' an officer explained. Multiple instruments have to be used during such an operation — the Bomb Detection Team has to carry explosive vapour detectors, nonlinear junction detectors, and circuit detectors. All the surveillance devices are taken to the site in an ROV (remote operation vehicle). M-ION, a highly portable sniffer, and DSMD (Deep Search Metal Detectors) are used to scan through the whole vicinity. 'We take every bomb threat call seriously. Hence, personnel have to be mobilised even if it turns out to be a hoax. But it does put a lot of things on standby, and multiple teams have to be involved,' Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava told The Indian Express. 'We are also procuring advanced bomb detection and bomb disposal equipment and doing capacity building for our staff,' he added. A senior police officer, who probed multiple hoax calls over the last year, highlighted the commitment of resources for such operations. 'We take all the children and the staff to the muster area outside the school and then search for the bombs. Since we didn't find any explosives in any of the cases, all our police personnel just remained on standby in the area till all the checks were made. For hours, we have to commit so many resources in a very small area of the district,' he said. Local police stations also need to mobilise personnel as they manage the crowds. 'The SHO of the Cyber Police Station or an investigating officer is needed to scan through the emails, even when it's clear that the emails were sent using VPNs, and will be untraceable. Many times, advanced bomb detection tools and safety equipment are not available with every BDS squad. So personnel are also needed to get it from other districts if needed,' another senior police official said. If an explosive is found, the National Security Guard (NSG) gets involved. Even as NSG personnel were not called in most of the calls made last year, police have to engage with the agency to expect a swift response in case any explosives are detected, a senior officer said.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Indian Express
Crime in Delhi shows marked decline in first half of 2025, police data shows
The number of heinous crimes reported in the national capital dropped notably in the first half of 2025, according to data released by the Delhi Police. From January 1 to June 30, a total of 2,209 heinous crimes were registered in the city — a decline from 2,543 during the same period in 2024. Senior officials said this drop extended across key categories, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping for ransom, rape, and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Murder was the only exception. While most categories saw year-on-year decreases, murder cases rose marginally from 241 in 2024 to 250 in 2025. Police said the majority of these incidents stemmed from sudden fits of rage, personal enmity, and disputes over petty issues. Cases of molestation also fell, dropping by 10.85 per cent from 2024 to reach 863 cases in 2025. The decrease was even more significant when compared with 2023 — a 29.03 percent drop. The trend extended to non-heinous crimes as well. In 2025, 1,16,613 such crimes were recorded in the first six months, down from 1,27,150 during the same period in 2024 and 1,60,931 in 2023 — marking a 27.54 per cent decline over two years, and 8.29 per cent year-on-year. Motor vehicle thefts continued to top the list of non-heinous crimes, with over 17,512 cases recorded in 2025. Kidnapping cases fell slightly to 2,716, from 2,738 in 2024 and 2,752 in 2023. Fatal road accidents saw a mixed trend — rising to 667 in 2025 from 653 in 2023, but still below 2024's figure of 673. Explaining the overall decline, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), said, 'The decline in crime can be attributed to seamless coordination and cooperation in all units and districts of Delhi Police in apprehension of criminals, fugitives and repeat offenders and stern legal action against them, so that a stern message is sent to one and all. Extensive use of technology, AI, Big Data analytics and capacity building further gave impetus to our concerted efforts. Proactive citizen centric policing and public support was icing on the cake.'
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- India Gazette
Delhi aims for a drug-free city by 2027
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): The Special Crime Branch of Delhi Police, led by Special CP Devesh Chandra Srivastava, is working towards making Delhi drug-free by 2027, as envisioned by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Srivastava emphasised that the fight against drug abuse requires a collaborative effort from the public, education, health, and drug control departments, and law enforcement agencies. The Delhi government's initiative to make the city drug-free by 2027 is a significant step towards addressing the issue of drug abuse and promoting a healthier society. Speaking to the reporters on Sunday, Devesh Chandra Srivastava said, 'The fight against drug abuse is not that of the police alone. We need the cooperation of the public as well as all departments like education, health and drug control department. We are all fighting against drug abuse together. The Lieutenant Governor has given us the vision of a drug-free Delhi by 2027. Meaningful efforts are being made for Chief Minister also participated in today's program and assured that the Delhi government and Delhi Police will work together against this evil.' The Delhi government and Delhi Police are working together to tackle drug abuse, with the Chief Minister assuring support for the initiative. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and involve the public in the effort to create a drug-free society. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora also attended the program, which was held at Kartavya Path in the National capital to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. She assured that the Delhi government and Delhi Police will work together against this evil. Last month, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested five individuals and dismantled a drug syndicate operating in the North Campus area of Delhi University, officials said. According to officials, the accused were found in possession of 2,360 Tramadol-based capsules and 135 bottles of codeine-based syrup--both banned for non-prescription use, valued at over Rs 1 lakh in the international market. DCP, ANTF Crime Apoorva Gupta stated that the action is part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign under the Government of India's 'Zero Tolerance' policy and the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.' Acting on a tip-off, ANTF officials arrested Manish Bhatle (26), who was found carrying two sacks containing illegal drugs near Shri Ram Institute, University Road. He failed to produce any medical prescriptions or purchase invoices and was taken into custody on the spot. A drug inspector from the Drug Control Department confirmed the recovered substances were prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, they said. (ANI)
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Indian Express
Operation Kavach-8.0: 139 arrested, 133 cases filed in 24-hour drugs crackdown in Delhi
In a single-day crackdown under the Delhi Police's 'Operation Kavach 8.0', 139 narcotics offenders were arrested and 133 cases were filed under the NDPS Act, officers said on Friday. The operation was conducted between 6 pm on Wednesday and 6 pm on Thursday. It resulted in the seizure of 90.3 grams of heroin, 25.9 kg of ganja, 3.32 grams of cocaine, 4.63 grams of MDMA, 20.08 grams of amphetamine, and 12 buprenorphine tablets, said police. The operation was carried out by over 350 teams from all 15 districts, the Crime Branch, and the Special Cell, covering 1,040 targeted locations. It was supervised by senior officers, including Special Commissioner of Police, Crime, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, and Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Surender Singh. Alongside NDPS enforcement, 224 people were arrested in 217 Excise Act cases, with the seizure of 47,476 illicit quarter bottles of liquor. Thirty persons were held in 29 Arms Act cases, leading to the recovery of pistols, cartridges, and knives. In addition, 55 gamblers were arrested and over Rs 25,000 in cash was seized. Police also prosecuted 2,031 violators under the Tobacco Act, seized over 1.7 lakh prohibited foreign cigarettes, and intercepted e-cigarettes worth Rs 9.38 lakh. An 18-year-old linked to the anti-Lawrence Bishnoi gang was also caught with four semi-automatic pistols. Officials said the crackdown has pushed major traffickers underground and disrupted smuggling networks. 'Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2,031 violators were prosecuted and one person was arrested with over 1.71 lakh prohibited foreign cigarettes and 469 e-cigarettes,' said the Srivastava. Prohibited e-cigarettes worth around Rs 9.38 lakh were also seized from a shop in Safdarjung Enclave, police said. The senior police officer said that since January 2025, a total of 1,439 narco-offenders have been arrested in 1,127 NDPS cases, with seizures of nearly 38 kg of heroin, over 3,000 kg of cannabis, and other contraband. (With PTI)
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Police unveils emblems for Finger Print Bureau, bomb squad
Delhi Police unveiled emblems for two of its key units, the Finger Print Bureau (FPB) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), at an event at the police headquarters on Thursday. Officials said that the emblems will start being featured on jackets worn by team members and in official communication as well. Police commissioner Sanjay Arora unveiled the logos and said that they symbolise the 'professionalism and dedication' of these specialised units. Special commissioner of police (crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava said that the FPB has been a part of the crime branch since 1983, and plays a key role in crime-solving through forensic analysis. 'The FPB currently maintains a database of over five lakh criminals and uses advanced systems like AFPIS, CRIS, and the national-level NAFIS to match chance prints lifted from crime scenes,' he said. 'The BDS, along with the Bomb Detection Team (BDT), was set up in 2002 and remains at the front lines of Delhi's counter-explosive operations. Equipped with state-of-the-art devices and trained in collaboration with NSG, BSF, and CRPF, these teams respond round-the-clock to bomb threats, conduct anti-sabotage checks, and secure high-risk venues,' he said.
