'Most of them are behind bars now'

Big criminals extort money from bookies, property dealers and those involved in organised crimes such as flesh trade, says Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime and Railways) Ravindra Singh Yadav in a conversation with Vishnu Sukumaran.

With a number of gangs being busted in the past few years, do you believe that organised gangs are a cause of concern for policing in the capital?
Delhi Police have been able to effectively crack down on criminal gangs. Most of the so-called gang members are behind bars, except Surendra alias Netu Dabodia. The special staff of the districts concerned as well as the Crime Branch and Special Cell are especially geared up to tackle such criminals.
 
What are the modus operandi and trend that you have noticed while interrogating arrested gang members in recent years?
Usually, such criminals try to extort money from bookies, property dealers and those who are involved in organised crimes such as flesh trade, fixing of property and drugs. Since property rates have shot up, they also try to settle disputed property and target vulnerable builders. But such complaints are on the decline in the recent past. Similarly, most of those who indulge in kidnapping for ransom such as Manoj Morkheri are also behind bars.

Can these gangs be blamed for the increase in the number of heinous crimes reported in the past few years?
The increase in the number of cases can be attributed to the criminal law amendment as well as proactive and concerted efforts made by the Delhi Police for free registration of crimes.

What measures have been taken by police to tackle the menace?
Delhi Police have been effectively conducting raids and operations against criminal gangs.
The teams are equipped with sophisticated weapons and bulletproof jackets. There is specialised staff who does the work of surveillance and intelligence gathering about these criminals. It is our endeavour to keep the city safe from such criminals.