In Rare Move, Delhi Police Book IPS Officer, Others Over 'Illegal Detention & Unauthorised Raids'

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 17:34 IST

The inquiry examined a cross-state police action conducted in November 2023 by a Delhi Police team in Mizoram in connection with a narcotics investigation

Delhi Police’s vigilance unit has registered a case following an internal inquiry into a November 2023 police operation carried out in Mizoram. The case was registered after an inquiry concluded that there was prima facie material suggesting procedural and jurisdictional irregularities during the operation.

According to the FIR, the case has been filed under Sections 166, 341, 342, and 409 of the Indian Penal Code to allow a formal criminal investigation into the conduct of officers involved against IPS Shankar Choudhary, a 2011 batch officer, along with others.

What the matter concerns

The inquiry examined a cross-state police action conducted between November 21 and 30 in 2023 by a Delhi Police team in Mizoram in connection with a narcotics investigation. The FIR records that the team stayed and conducted operations outside Delhi’s territorial jurisdiction and that questions were later raised by Mizoram authorities about authorisation and custody procedures.

The document talks about an unauthorised stay and operations without lawful written orders from a competent authority.

The inquiry reviewed CCTV footage, travel records, PCR logs, and witness accounts to reconstruct the events.

Why the FIR was registered

According to the FIR, the vigilance inquiry found sufficient preliminary material to justify criminal registration, so the matter could be independently investigated.

“These observations constitute prima facie material for registration of a case to enable fair and independent investigation," the report states. “The purpose of the present registration is to enable a fair and independent investigation into the circumstances of the operation."

Role of IPS officer named in FIR

The FIR names IPS officer Shankar Choudhary as part of the raiding team whose conduct is under review.

The document records, “Shankar Choudhary IPS… was part of the raiding team which stayed and conducted operations in Mizoram during the period under inquiry."

On authorisation, the inquiry notes, “The officer stayed in Mizoram and continued operational activity without obtaining written permission from the competent authority."

The report also raises concerns over detention procedures: “Illegal detention… demonstrates that Harrison House premises were taken under control and individuals were confined without lawful authority."

Investigators further recorded, “No proper documentation of seizure, custody or inter-state coordination was found at the time of inquiry."

According to the FIR, the Delhi Police officials only provided assistance in conducting the raid under the bona fide impression that the Mizoram Police team, led by a senior police officer who earlier served as DCP/Dwarka, was carrying out the investigation legally.

“The onus was on Mizoram Police to comply with the procedural safeguard, prepare all necessary documentation related to search, seizure and arrest/detention including case diaries," the FIR says.

It further states that the role of Delhi Police officials was limited to making an entry whenever the staff moved with Mizoram Police and a detainee was brought to the police station or Anti-Narcotic Squad of Dwarka/South West.

“Upon holistic examination of the facts, evidence, and testimonies, the following findings emerge: Shankar Choudhary, IPS, acted beyond his legal and territorial authority. He conducted unauthorised raids and seizures within Delhi, violating legal and administrative protocols. He kept a suspect, Harrison, in illegal custody for four days at Mizoram House. He failed to document seized property, thereby violating legal, procedural and evidentiary norms. Delhi Police Officials (HC Shalju, HC Vikash, HC Prashant) accompanied the officer and participated in raids without requisite sanction. Their actions, while irregular, do not establish mens rea or criminal culpability but warrant departmental action," the report says.

Recommendations were made to book Shankar Choudhary for abusing authority, wrongful confinement, and misappropriation of seized property.

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