More than 10,000 arrested in Delhi Police enforcement drive ahead of elections

Massive seizures in 10 days reveal challenges in ensuring fair elections, as unethical practices threaten democracy’s core values.

New Delhi: With Delhi all set to go to the polls on February 5, the city is seeing a heightened enforcement drive to ensure free and fair elections.

Over a 10-day period, from January 7 to January 17, Delhi Police have cracked down on violators of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and illegal activities that could influence the electoral process.

In just 10 days, 285 cases have been registered against individuals and entities for violating the MCC. These violations include several parameters including illegal campaigning, misuse of public resources and other such activities that could be a hindrance in ensuring proper election process is followed in the national capital.

Delhi Police have also seized 172 unlicensed firearms and 140 cartridges. This haul underscores the efforts to ensure that violence has no space in the upcoming polls which is just less than three weeks away.

Similarly, liquor, which often been found to have been a common gift distributed by several candidates and their aides to influence voters, remained a key target of the enforcement drive and a staggering 29,332 liters of illicit alcohol, worth over Rs 85 lakh, was confiscated till date and police say there is continuous attempts to sway voters.

Similarly, 66.25 kilograms of drugs, valued at over Rs 15 crore has also been seized. Additionally, 1,200 illegal injections were also confiscated.

Cash seizures amounted to Rs 2.27 crore, signaling attempts to distribute money to lure voters. Alongside this, 37.39 kilograms of silver was also seized.

Also, to deter potential troublemakers 10,764 individuals were also arrested under provisions of preventive action and the Excise Act.