Senior IPS officer booked by Delhi police for illegal raids, confinement and extortion

The Vigilance Unit of the Delhi police has booked senior IPS officer Shankar Choudhary of the AGMUT cadre, for alleged illegal raids, unlawful detention and confinement of a foreign national, and misappropriation of authority in a 2023 case.

According to the FIR accessed by The Hindu, the senior IPS officer conducted several unauthorised raids, unlawfully detained a foreign national and attempted to extort 55 lakh rupees between November 26 and November 29 in the national Capital, while being posted as the Superintendent of Police (Narcotics) in Mizoram.

Citing several DD entries, phone calls made to local police in Delhi, CCTV footage and testimonies of officials, the Vigilance Department noted that Mr. Choudhary had conducted several raids in the Dabri area from November 26-29 2023, and apprehended one Harrison, Khawallianngaia and David Malsawmdawnga from Gautam Nursing Home on the intervening night of November 25-26.

While Mr. Khawallianngaia and Mr. Malsawmdawnga were later arrested and presented before the court, Mr. Choudhary conducted another “unauthorised” raid at Mr. Harrison’s house on November 26. The FIR notes that a locker and two bags were seized from Mr. Harrison’s residence, and Mr. Choudhary took him along with these possessions to Mizoram Bhawan in Vasant Vihar, where he was allegedly confined. It also noted that “no seizure memo, inventory list, or panchnama was prepared”.

On November 29, the Delhi police received a PCR call where a lady informed them that Mizoram police had kidnapped her brother and that one Shankar Choudhary had taken ₹35 lakhs and was demanding another ₹20 lakhs. While the police could not trace the call, on the same night, Mr. Malsawmdawnga was released. “Harrison was released on November 29, coinciding with the extortion call being reported” reads the FIR.

Taking cognisance of the allegations, the Union Home Ministry initiated an inquiry. During the inquiry, it was found that Mr. Choudhary, who was earlier posted as the Deputy Commissioner of Dwarka, made several unofficial calls to several Delhi police officers, conducted raids in the Capital with 13 Delhi police officers, unlawfully detained and made seizures without any documentation.

He has been booked under section 166 (public servant disobeying law), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) of the IPC. The FIR noted that while HC Shaluj, HC Vikash, and HC Prashant accompanied him on several raids, that does not establish mens rea (guilty mind), however it warrants a departmental action.