Illegal Liquor Suppliers Arrested for Kidnapping Delhi Excise Constable
In a shocking incident of brazen criminality, two men involved in illegal liquor supply have been apprehended for allegedly kidnapping and threatening a Delhi Excise Department constable and his driver at gunpoint. The arrests followed an intense interstate manhunt that culminated near the Indo-Nepal border, where the primary suspect was attempting to flee the country.
Details of the Harrowing Incident
The crime unfolded in the early hours of February 23, when constable Naresh Sharma of the Delhi Excise Department, accompanied by his driver Rahul, was conducting intelligence gathering on illicit liquor operations near Aggarwal Auto Mall in Shalimar Bagh. According to police reports, a group of armed individuals approached the duo and began questioning them. Upon learning their official identities, the assailants turned violent.
The victims were brutally assaulted with sticks, sustaining injuries, before being forcibly abducted in their own vehicle. They were then transported to Bahalgarh in Haryana, where they were confined inside a liquor storage godown. During their captivity, they were subjected to further beatings, threatened at gunpoint, and videotaped in an apparent effort to intimidate them. Additionally, the constable's purse, containing his official identification card and Rs 8,000 in cash, was stolen.
Police Investigation and Arrests
After being released by their captors, the victims immediately contacted authorities via the emergency helpline. Both individuals received medical examinations at BJRM Hospital. Based on the formal complaint, a case was registered at the Shalimar Bagh police station, prompting a thorough investigation.
A special police team was swiftly assembled, which meticulously analyzed CCTV footage from the crime scene. This evidence led investigators to track the movement of the accused to Bahalgarh in Sonipat. With assistance from informants, police identified Rahul Nain from Rohtak as a key figure in the illegal liquor trade between Haryana and Delhi. He was subsequently taken into custody.
During interrogation, Nain revealed the identities of his accomplices. This information enabled law enforcement to trace another suspect, Vinod Kumar from Jhajjar, Haryana. Kumar, described as a habitual offender with a history of five prior criminal cases, had been evading capture by frequently changing locations across multiple states, including Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Police teams pursued Kumar through Zirakpur, Nainital, and Kainchi Dham before finally apprehending him on the intervening night of March 18 and 19 near the Indo-Nepal border, as he was allegedly attempting to escape the country.
Confessions and Recoveries
Both accused individuals have confessed to their involvement in the crime. Authorities have recovered the vehicle used in the offence, along with two mobile phones, based on information provided by the suspects. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest additional co-accused linked to the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Akanksha Yadav emphasized the seriousness of the incident, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel in combating organized crime. This case underscores the persistent challenges in curbing illegal liquor networks and the lengths to which criminals will go to protect their illicit operations.
