Operation Aaghaat: A Crackdown on Organised Crime in Delhi

Operation Aaghaat was launched by Delhi Police in 2025 to curb organised crime. This blog explains its objectives, methods, implications, India’s rank in the Global Organised Crime Index, links to the Golden Triangle, BNS 2023 provisions, and the way forward. A must-read for UPSC aspirants (GS II & III).

Introduction

Organised crime is a persistent threat to India’s internal security, eroding law and order, undermining governance, and fueling transnational criminal networks. In September 2025, the Delhi Police launched “Operation Aaghaat”, a coordinated and large-scale initiative to crack down on habitual offenders, recover illegal arms and narcotics, and restore public confidence in policing. The operation not only demonstrated the state’s resolve to curb organised crime but also reflected India’s evolving approach to preventive policing under new legal frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

For UPSC aspirants, this topic holds significance under GS Paper II (Governance, Polity, Security) and GS Paper III (Internal Security, Organised Crime, Terrorism). It also intersects with Ethics (Paper IV), as it deals with governance, trust-building, and accountability.

What Was Operation Aaghaat?

Operation Aaghaat was a district-wide, multi-location crackdown against organised crime in Delhi, involving:

• Raids and Searches: Conducted simultaneously across high-crime zones to ensure surprise and effectiveness.

• Arrests: Over 70 individuals apprehended, including habitual offenders and those with prior criminal records.

• Seizures: Recovery of illegal weapons, narcotics, and contraband, disrupting immediate criminal supply chains.

• Preventive Policing: Action taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Delhi Police Act to pre-empt crimes before they occur.

• Community Engagement: Police actively sought community support, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activity, thereby strengthening trust in law enforcement.

By combining intelligence gathering, surveillance, and public participation, Operation Aaghaat went beyond reactive policing to embrace a proactive, deterrent-oriented strategy.

How Severe is Organised Crime in India?

Organised crime in India is multi-dimensional and deeply entrenched, with implications for national security, governance, and international relations.

Global Crime Index

• According to the Global Organised Crime Index 2023, India ranks 61st out of 193 countries, placing it in the category of nations with notable levels of criminality.

• This ranking reflects the persistence of networks involved in narcotics trafficking, extortion, cybercrime, human trafficking, and terrorism.

Regional Vulnerabilities

• Northeast India is highly vulnerable due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle (Myanmar–Laos–Thailand), a hub for narcotics trafficking.

• Cross-border smuggling of arms, drugs, and wildlife continues to undermine state authority in border regions.

Criminal Law and Organised Crime

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 explicitly targets organised crime, terror financing, and cyber-enabled offences, recognising the need for updated frameworks to address evolving threats.

• States like Maharashtra have enacted special laws like MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act), reflecting regional adaptations to this pan-India problem.

Transnational Dimensions

• Organised crime in India is increasingly transnational.

• The recent India–Canada NSA talks highlighted threats posed by terrorism, money laundering, and drug syndicates that operate across borders, making cooperation essential.

Why Organised Crime Persists in India

1. Economic Incentives

   • Lucrative returns from narcotics, human trafficking, and cyber fraud encourage expansion.

   • Informal economies and weak regulation create fertile ground.

2. Political-Criminal Nexus

   • Local criminals often enjoy protection from political patrons, making enforcement patchy.

3. Weak Institutional Capacity

   • Overburdened police forces, delays in justice delivery, and lack of specialised training hinder effective suppression.

4. Technological Adaptation

   • Criminals now leverage dark web, encrypted communication, and cryptocurrency to evade detection.

5. Socio-Economic Conditions

   • Poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation drive recruitment into criminal networks, especially among youth.

Operation Aaghaat in Context of Preventive Policing

Operation Aaghaat represents a shift in policing philosophy:

• From Reactive to Preventive: Instead of waiting for crimes to occur, it sought to disrupt networks before execution.

• BNSS Provisions: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has strengthened preventive detention and bail provisions, providing stronger tools for police.

• Community-Oriented Policing: By engaging citizens, police bridged trust deficits, an essential element in crime-prone areas.

• Surveillance & Intelligence: Emphasis on data-driven intelligence, hotspot mapping, and predictive analysis aligns with global best practices.

This is particularly relevant for UPSC GS Paper II & III, where reforms in policing and internal security form recurring themes.

Case Studies of Organised Crime Crackdowns

To situate Operation Aaghaat within a broader perspective, we can look at:

• Mumbai (1990s): Crackdowns on the underworld reduced open gang wars but led to networks shifting into white-collar crimes.

• Punjab (1990s): Anti-terror operations weakened militancy but inadvertently strengthened narcotics networks.

• Northeast India: Ongoing insurgencies reveal the complex overlap of political violence and organised crime.

Each case demonstrates the adaptive resilience of organised crime and the need for sustained, multi-pronged strategies.

Implications for Governance and Security

Positive Outcomes of Operation Aaghaat

• Deterrence: Visible policing instils fear among habitual offenders.

• Trust-building: Community participation improves law enforcement credibility.

• Network Disruption: Confiscation of weapons and drugs disrupts supply chains, even if temporarily.

Challenges Ahead

• Sustainability: Crackdowns risk being one-off events without long-term institutional reform.

• Judicial Backlog: Arrests must translate into convictions; otherwise, offenders return to streets.

• Human Rights Concerns: Preventive policing must balance security with protection of civil liberties.

• Global Coordination: Since organised crime has transnational linkages, operations like Aaghaat must be supported by international intelligence sharing.

India’s Broader Response to Organised Crime

India’s evolving response combines legislation, institutional reform, and international cooperation:

1. Legislation:

   • BNS 2023 (targeting organised crime, cybercrime, and terror financing).

   • Special state laws like MCOCA (Maharashtra) and KCOCA (Karnataka).

2. Institutions:

   • NIA, CBI, and specialised anti-narcotics and cybercrime units.

   • State-level task forces for hotspots like Delhi, Mumbai, and border states.

3. Technology:

   • Big data, AI surveillance, and forensic cyber tools.

   • Linking Aadhaar, CCTNS, and NATGRID databases.

4. International Cooperation:

   • Engagement with Interpol, UNODC, and bilateral NSAs (e.g., India–Canada, India–U.S.).

   • Participation in conventions like the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC).

Way Forward

Operation Aaghaat is a reminder that organised crime is not just a policing challenge but a governance issue. A multi-layered strategy is essential:

• Strengthen Community Policing: Build citizen trust to enhance intelligence flow.

• Speedy Justice: Fast-track courts for organised crime cases.

• Economic Alternatives: Address socio-economic roots of crime by providing livelihood opportunities.

• Police Modernisation: Expand training in cyber forensics, financial intelligence, and transnational crime.

• Centre–State Coordination: Strengthen cooperative federalism in law enforcement.

• Ethical Policing: Balance deterrence with respect for human rights, preventing alienation of marginalised communities.

Conclusion

Operation Aaghaat symbolises Delhi Police’s determination to strike at the roots of organised crime, using preventive policing, community engagement, and coordinated crackdowns. However, its long-term success depends on sustained institutional reform, judicial effectiveness, and societal participation.

For India, ranked 61st globally in organised crime, the fight is far from over. Crackdowns like Operation Aaghaat are necessary but not sufficient—they must be part of a holistic internal security strategy that combines law enforcement, governance reform, socio-economic development, and international cooperation.

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH