Op Hotspot Domination: Raids at 834 locations; 165 criminals held

Under ‘Operation Hotspot Domination’, Haryana Police have been carrying out an extensive combing operation across the state. According to the data till December 5, the police conducted raids across 834 hotspot locations in areas notorious for drugs, illicit liquor and gambling. The force registered 106 criminal cases and arrested 165 offenders, who were sent to custody. The campaign’s most significant success came in dismantling elements of the drug mafia.

During the state-wide crackdown police seized Rs 1.44 lakh in cash, four country-made pistols, six pistols, 18 live cartridges, three magazines, one car, four motorcycles and one mobile phone.

Narcotics seizures on December 5 included 700 litres of illicit liquor, 2,650 intoxicating tablets, more than 950 bottles of illegal liquor and wine, large quantities of other narcotics, 26 kg of poppy husk and 127 kg of ganja.

Strengthening its intelligence mechanism, the police shared 127 intelligence reports with other states to tighten the noose on inter-state criminal gangs. During the operation 21 absconding violent offenders — who had evaded law enforcement for a long period — were also arrested.

Further, nine cases under the Arms Act were registered, resulting in the arrest of 12 accused. Eight look-out notices were issued and a recommendation for the passport cancellation of one violent offender was forwarded.

The operation’s impact was visible across districts, with notable achievements in several regions. Sirsa police conducted the highest number of raids — 106 hotspots — and arrested seven suspects. Gurugram police carried out raids at 53 locations and arrested 24 suspects. Gurugram police also extended humanitarian assistance to 122 distressed and needy people; Panchkula district assisted about 52 such individuals.

In narcotics seizures, Fatehabad led the state with the confiscation of around 26 kg of poppy husk and 5 grams of heroin.

In Palwal, the force not only tightened its grip on criminals but also demonstrated compassion. During combing operations at 39 locations, Palwal police arrested a violent offender involved in murder and attempted murder, and a wanted drug trafficker who had a reward on his head.

Hansi police acted swiftly, arresting seven accused and seizing Rs 25,000 in cash and a vehicle used for drug trafficking. Palwal police also assisted 19 needy individuals suffering from severe cold, showcasing the humanitarian side of policing.

Panipat and Rohtak adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illicit liquor traders. In Panipat, raids in Babail village and Kalu Peer Colony resulted in the arrest of two accused — Rajesh alias Raju and Ramesh — and the seizure of 62 bottles of illicit liquor. In Rohtak, a team led by SHO Rakesh Saini from Shivaji Colony Police Station arrested habitual offender Ajay with 52 bottles of illegal liquor.

Across the state the police assisted a total of 345 distressed or needy individuals, reinforcing the message that policing extends beyond apprehending criminals to serving society.

Haryana Police’s crackdown on cyber fraudsters intensified further. A total of 313 complaints were registered on the Cyber Helpline 1930 on Saturday, reporting online frauds amounting to approximately Rs 1.41 crore. The cyber team acted swiftly, freezing Rs 90,45,370 — 63.87 per cent of the total reported amount — before it could reach fraudsters’ accounts. Fourteen cybercriminals were arrested and Rs 1,10,500 recovered from them; additionally, Rs 6,39,000 was refunded to victims.

In Faridabad, Cyber Police Station (Central) busted a gang involved in credit-card fraud, in which perpetrators posed as bank representatives offering credit cards or increased card limits. The fraud came to light after a resident of Kartar Singh Colony reported that Rs 44,000 had been siphoned from his account after he filled a fake form.

On the basis of technical investigation, police arrested four accused — Ayush Gupta, Arbaaz, Nawab Khan and Rishabh Kumar — from Delhi and Bihar. Interrogation revealed that the accused immediately purchased items such as gold rings from the defrauded money, later selling them to convert the proceeds into cash. All have been taken on four-day police remand.

In another case, Faridabad police arrested Sujal Haldar from Mathura for running a Telegram-based scam that lured people with small initial profits for completing online tasks and later persuaded them to invest larger sums which were never returned. A woman victim lost Rs 14.50 lakh. Police investigations found that Sujal had procured a SIM card and opened a bank account in his brother’s name, which was used as a mule account for circulating fraud proceeds. The accused has been placed on five-day police remand for intensive interrogation.