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Crime

Jharkhand HC raps ACB over delay in 211 corruption probes, seeks report from DG

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Ranchi, Oct 22: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over the pendency of more than 200 preliminary inquiries (PEs) at the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The court directed the agency’s Director General to submit a detailed affidavit explaining why there is so much delay and when the probes will be completed.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation, observed that it was a matter of serious concern that out of 613 preliminary inquiries registered with the ACB, 480 have been disposed of, while 211 cases remain pending for a long period.

The bench said the state’s premier anti-graft agency cannot cite workload or shortage of staff as excuses for delays in corruption investigations.

It also remarked that the ACB was created precisely to handle such inquiries and ensure swift action against corruption, adding that any delay undermines public confidence in the system.

During the hearing, a Deputy Superintendent of Police submitted an affidavit on behalf of the ACB, claiming that the bureau was burdened with confidential verifications, intelligence gathering, and a large number of ongoing investigations, which had caused delays in disposing of pending cases.

The court, however, rejected this explanation. It said that such justifications cannot be accepted.

It further noted that arguments citing the retirement or death of officials under investigation were equally untenable.

The court said the responsibility of the ACB does not cease merely because the concerned officer has retired or passed away. Each inquiry must reach its logical conclusion to ensure transparency and accountability.

The High Court has directed the ACB Director General to personally file an affidavit detailing the timeline for completion of the pending inquiries.

The matter has been posted for the next hearing on November 6.

Crime

Two snatchers, auto-lifters arrested by Delhi Police; two stolen vehicles recovered

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New Delhi, June 20: The Crack Team of Anand Vihar Police Station in Delhi’s Shahdara district has arrested two alleged snatchers and auto-lifters and recovered two stolen two-wheelers from their possession, police said on Saturday.

In view of the recent rise in incidents of snatching and motor vehicle theft in Shahdara district, the Crack Team of PS Anand Vihar was assigned the task of identifying and apprehending active offenders operating in the area.

A dedicated police team comprising Head Constables Lokesh, Sonu and Pradeep, along with Constable Gourav, was constituted under the close supervision of Inspector Manish Kumar, SHO of Anand Vihar Police Station, and ACP Vivek Vihar Mohinder Singh. The operation was carried out under the overall guidance of Shahdara District Police.

On June 18, while conducting routine patrol duty near Manglam Road in AGCR Enclave, the police team noticed two suspicious youths riding a CT-100 motorcycle without a registration number plate. The suspects were stopped and asked to produce ownership documents for the vehicle. However, they failed to provide any valid papers and appeared visibly nervous during questioning.

Upon verification, the motorcycle was found to be a stolen vehicle linked to E-FIR No. 013864/26, dated June 16, registered under Section 305(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Farsh Bazar Police Station. Both individuals were immediately taken into custody.

During sustained interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing the recovered CT-100 motorcycle from the Farsh Bazar area on June 16. They further disclosed that they had stolen a Honda Activa scooter from the same area on June 13. Acting on their disclosure, police recovered the scooter from near CBD Ground in Shahdara. The scooter was found to be linked to E-FIR No. 013519/26, dated June 13, 2026, registered under Section 305(b) BNS at Farsh Bazar Police Station.

Police said the accused admitted that the stolen two-wheelers were being used to commit snatching incidents across different parts of Shahdara district. They also confessed to their involvement in FIR No. 208/26, registered under Sections 304(2) and 3(5) of the BNS at Anand Vihar Police Station in connection with a snatching case.

The accused have been identified as Ritik, 21, and Atul, 18, both residents of Vishwas Nagar in Shahdara, Delhi. During questioning, they reportedly told investigators that they committed the offences for financial gain and to meet their personal needs.

The police recovered one stolen CT-100 motorcycle bearing registration number DL7SCD-99XX and one stolen Honda Activa scooter bearing registration number DL5SBA-6XX8.

According to police, the arrests have helped solve multiple motor vehicle theft cases registered at Anand Vihar and Farsh Bazar police stations, in addition to a snatching case registered at Anand Vihar Police Station.

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Crime

Delhi Police arrests imposter for posing as ADM, duping people of lakhs in govt job and land scam

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New Delhi, June 20: In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police has arrested a habitual impersonator who allegedly posed as an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and cheated multiple individuals to the tune of Rs 60 lakh on the pretext of securing government jobs and arranging land allotments.

According to an official press release issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District), the accused identified as Pawan Kumar Pandey @ Varun Kumar Pandey, a resident of Gandhi Vihar, Delhi, aged 43 years, was apprehended by a dedicated team from PP Sidhipura, PS DBG Road.

The police stated that the accused “posed as an Additional District Magistrate and preyed on trust,” deceiving victims by projecting himself as a senior government officer with close links to top officials.

The case originated from a complaint received on 23.03.2026 at PP Sidhipura, wherein the accused allegedly introduced himself as “Varun Kumar Pandey, ADM, Uttar Pradesh.” He is accused of falsely assuring victims of government jobs and allotment of plots in Noida under official schemes.

The press note stated that “cheating of approximately ₹60 lakh on the pretext of government jobs and land allotment was exposed.” Based on the complaint, FIR No. 206/2026 was registered under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 316(2), 319(2), 204 and 61(2).

Police said multiple forged identity cards, visiting cards and documents were recovered during the investigation. The accused had also created a strong digital footprint using WhatsApp chats, audio recordings, screenshots and e-Sakshya video evidence.

Officials added that a “financial trail was established through bank accounts and UPI transactions,” confirming receipt of large sums of money from victims through intermediaries. Investigators also identified assets purchased from proceeds of crime, including a Swift car and a scooty.

During verification, police found that the accused had been using the identity of a real PCS officer. A senior officer noted that verification with Varun Kumar Pandey, PCS (2015 batch), former ADM Jhansi, confirmed misuse of his identity and designation.

The accused allegedly used publicly available information and photographs to convincingly project himself as an ADM posted at different locations, including Lodhi Road, and to support earlier claims of having served in Uttar Pradesh.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to impersonating an ADM for several years and using forged documents to gain trust and cheat victims. He allegedly projected “close links with senior government officers” and used intermediaries to collect money.

The accused is also linked to a previous FIR registered in 2019 at PS Sahibabad under multiple IPC Sections.

The press release stated that “role of other associates and additional victims is under investigation.” Authorities are also examining additional financial transactions and possible wider networks involved in the fraud.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials of Central District, with sustained technical surveillance and coordinated digital analysis leading to the arrest.

Further investigation is underway to trace more victims and uncover the full extent of the fraud.

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Crime

Action in Begusarai gang-rape case escalates; SHO suspended, SIT formed

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Patna, June 19: The investigation into the heinous gang-rape and brutalisation of a woman in Bihar’s Begusarai district, that is reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case in the national Capital, intensified on Friday. Senior officials of Bihar Police launched a detailed enquiry into the shocking case and took disciplinary action against the Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan on Friday, for negligence.

The case, which pertains to an incident reported in the Chakia police station area on the night of June 11, gained widespread attention after allegations surfaced that a bullet, piece of wood and a stone were later recovered from the victim’s private parts during medical treatment.

Begusarai Range DIG, Shailesh Kumar Sinha, visited the victim at Sadar Hospital and met her family members to gather information about the horrific crime.

He also reviewed the progress of the investigation with police officials and sought details regarding the action taken so far in the case.

The DIG subsequently held discussions with the medical team, including the Civil Surgeon, and obtained a detailed briefing on the victim’s examination and treatment.

In a significant administrative action, Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan has been suspended.

According to the DIG, preliminary findings indicated negligence in handling the case, prompting departmental action against SHO Rajiv Ranjan.

Police have registered an FIR in connection with the case and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and arrest the accused.

Senior officers, including the DIG and district police officials, have inspected the alleged crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officials stated that a fresh medical examination has been conducted by a medical Board, and investigators are awaiting the final report, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action.

The police have assured that all accused people involved in the crime will be arrested and brought to justice.

Investigators are examining evidence, recording statements, and verifying all aspects of the case.

Authorities have emphasised that further legal and departmental action will be taken based on the findings of the medical report and the SIT’s investigation.

The case has generated widespread public concern and drawn attention to the handling of crimes against women in Bihar, with senior officials closely monitoring the developments in the case.

According to an official, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chakiya police station on the night of June 11.

The 30-year-old woman had stepped out of her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly intercepted by five men, who forcibly dragged her to a secluded location, tied her hands and legs with her clothes and gang-raped her.

In a show of cruelty and depravity, the rapists inserted a cartridge, wood, and a stone into the hapless woman’s her private parts.

The woman’s family has also accused the local police of failing to respond appropriately and sending them back home when they first attempted to lodge a complaint in the case.

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