In a significant action against absconding criminals and habitual offenders, the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Central District, Delhi Police has apprehended a proclaimed offender wanted in connection with a snatching case registered at Police Station Subzi Mandi. The accused, identified as Rahul Sheikh, was arrested following specific intelligence inputs and a carefully planned operation near Tis Hazari Court Metro Station, Delhi.
According to Delhi Police, the arrest was carried out as part of the department’s continuous drive to trace and apprehend proclaimed offenders who evade legal proceedings and remain absconding despite court directions.
The accused had been declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO) by the Hon’ble Court in connection with FIR No. 599/2021 registered at Police Station Subzi Mandi, involving offences related to snatching and theft. Police officials stated that the accused had allegedly been avoiding arrest and had changed his locations frequently to escape legal action.
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The successful operation was conducted under the supervision of Inspector Rahul Adhikari, Incharge, Anti Narcotics Cell, Central District, with overall guidance from ACP/Operations Central District Shri Padam Singh Rana.
Central District Police Intensifies Drive Against Absconding Criminals
Delhi Police has been conducting sustained operations against proclaimed offenders, repeat offenders, and criminals involved in various offences across the national capital.
The Anti Narcotics Cell of Central District has been actively working not only against drug-related crimes but also assisting in tracing criminals involved in other serious offences and ensuring that individuals wanted by courts are brought before the legal system.
Officials stated that locating proclaimed offenders often requires extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, verification of information, and coordinated field operations.
The latest arrest of Rahul Sheikh reflects the continued efforts of Central District Police to strengthen law enforcement and ensure compliance with judicial orders.
Secret Information Leads to Arrest Near Tis Hazari Court Metro Station
According to police officials, on July 16, 2026, the Anti Narcotics Cell received reliable secret information regarding the presence of Rahul Sheikh near Tis Hazari Court Metro Station, Delhi.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence input, an Anti Narcotics Cell raiding team was constituted to verify the information and apprehend the accused to verify the information and apprehend the accused.
The police team reached the location and maintained surveillance to confirm the identity of the suspect. After proper verification, the accused was successfully intercepted and apprehended without giving him any opportunity to escape.
Police records were subsequently checked, which confirmed that Rahul Sheikh had been declared a proclaimed offender by the court in connection with the Subzi Mandi Police Station case.
The Anti Narcotics Cell operation demonstrated effective coordination between intelligence gathering and field-level execution, leading to the successful arrest of the wanted offender, leading to the successful arrest of the wanted offender.
Accused Identified as Rahul Sheikh
The arrested accused has been identified as:
Name: Rahul Sheikh
Age: 23 years
Residence: Usmanpur, Delhi
During verification conducted by the Anti Narcotics Cell officials, police found that Rahul Sheikh was declared a Proclaimed Offender in:
FIR No.: 599/2021
Police Station: Subzi Mandi, North District, Delhi
Sections: 356/379/411/34 IPC
The accused was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Hon’ble Court, Tis Hazari Courts, Central Delhi, through an order dated November 13, 2025.
Police stated that despite judicial proceedings and repeated legal processes, the accused allegedly failed to appear before the court and remained absconding.
Investigation Reveals Deliberate Attempts to Avoid Arrest
During sustained interrogation by the Anti Narcotics Cell investigators, the accused allegedly disclosed that after being declared a Proclaimed Offender, he deliberately avoided appearing before the court and continuously changed his locations to evade arrest.
According to police, Rahul Sheikh remained away from his known addresses and attempted to conceal his whereabouts.
Investigators stated that the accused was aware of the pending legal proceedings against him but allegedly continued to remain unavailable to law enforcement agencies.
After completion of necessary legal procedures, the accused was produced before the Learned JMFC, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi.
The court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody.
Details of the Original Snatching Case
The arrest is connected with a case registered at Police Station Subzi Mandi involving allegations of snatching and theft.
The case was registered under:
FIR No. 599/2021
Sections: 356/379/411/34 IPC
Police stated that the accused was wanted in the case and was declared a proclaimed offender after failing to participate in the legal proceedings.
The present operation was specifically conducted for executing the court order and securing the arrest of the absconding accused.
No recovery was made during the operation as the primary objective was the apprehension of the proclaimed offender.
Dedicated Police Team Executes Operation
The successful Anti Narcotics Cell arrest operation was carried out by a dedicated team comprising:
- Woman Constable Himansi
- Head Constable Anuj Kumar
The Anti Narcotics operation was conducted under the supervision of:
- Inspector Rahul Adhikari
Incharge, Anti Narcotics Cell, Central District
Under the overall supervision of:
- Shri Padam Singh Rana
ACP/Operations, Central District
Based on confidential information, the team created a strategic surveillance plan near Tis Hazari Court Metro Station.
After confirming the identity of the accused, officers successfully detained him and completed the required legal formalities.
The accused was arrested vide DD No. 52A dated July 16, 2026, under Section 35.1(d) BNSS, Police Station Kamla Market.
Accused Found Involved in Multiple Criminal Cases
Police verification revealed that Rahul Sheikh is allegedly a habitual offender and has previously been involved in multiple criminal cases, including snatching, theft, and Arms Act violations.
His previous involvement includes:
FIR No. 78/2021
Police Station: Subzi Mandi, North District
Sections: 356/379/511/34 IPC
FIR No. 117/2021
Police Station: Subzi Mandi, North District
Sections: 356/379/411/34 IPC
FIR No. 322/2021
Police Station: Kashmere Gate, North District
Sections: 25/54/59 Arms Act
FIR No. 599/2021
Police Station: Subzi Mandi, North District
Sections: 356/379/411/34 IPC
In the last-mentioned case, he was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the court.
Police officials stated that checking previous criminal records helps investigators understand criminal patterns and identify repeat offenders who may pose a threat to public safety.
Importance of Arrest in Strengthening Law Enforcement
The arrest by the Anti Narcotics Cell of a proclaimed offender is considered an important aspect of maintaining the effectiveness of the judicial system.
When accused persons deliberately avoid court proceedings, it can delay investigations and legal processes. Therefore, police departments regularly conduct special drives to locate and arrest such individuals.
Officials stated that bringing proclaimed offenders before the court ensures that legal proceedings can continue and strengthens public confidence in the justice system.
The Central District Police has reiterated that strict action will continue against criminals attempting to evade law enforcement agencies.
Delhi Police Reaffirms Commitment Against Crime
The arrest of Rahul Sheikh highlights the continued efforts of the Anti Narcotics Cell and Delhi Police to identify, track, and apprehend criminals involved in unlawful activities involved in unlawful activities.
Through intelligence-based operations, surveillance, and coordinated efforts, police teams continue to target offenders who attempt to escape legal action.
Delhi Police officials emphasized that operations against proclaimed offenders and habitual criminals will remain a priority to ensure safety and security across the national capital.
The arrest of Rahul Sheikh, a proclaimed offender wanted in a snatching case registered at Police Station Subzi Mandi, marks another successful operation by the Anti Narcotics Cell, Central District, Delhi Police.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the police team successfully traced and apprehended the accused near Tis Hazari Court Metro Station after confirming his identity. The accused, who had allegedly been avoiding arrest and changing locations to escape legal proceedings, was produced before the court and sent to judicial custody.
With the accused also linked to multiple previous criminal cases involving snatching, theft, and Arms Act offences, the latest action reflects Delhi Police’s continued focus on tackling habitual offenders and ensuring that individuals evading the law are brought before the judicial system.
