Rajasthan crime: The Rajasthan police set a statewide sweeping operation in motion in the early hours of Monday, which dealt a major blow to organised crime. The state’s cops laid hands on 214 criminals and seized a huge cache of illegal arms and narcotics, officials said. According to police officials, the coordinated crackdown targeted networks linked to the Rohit Godara and Lawrence Bishnoi gangs across 19 districts of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar Sharma shed light on the information, saying that the early morning operation was launched to dismantle extortion rackets and illegal arms networks, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to a fear-free environment. He added that simultaneous raids were carried out in the Jaipur and Jodhpur Commissionerates, along with multiple district jurisdictions.

1,276 criminals identified, 214 fall in police dragnet

Senior police officials aware of the development said that as many as 1,276 criminals were identified for action, including 383 linked to the Godara–Bishnoi syndicate. Meanwhile, 534 criminals associated with local gangs and 359 wanted or reward-carrying offenders were identified too. Of the 214 arrested, 11 carried rewards, 157 were under warrants and 46 were otherwise wanted.

30 cases were registered under the Arms Act, the officials said, adding that 17 pistols, three country-made firearms, 14 cartridges and several sharp-edged weapons were also seized. 

In 34 cases under the NDPS Act, the police confiscated 1.166 kg of heroin, smack, MD, opium, cannabis and over 26 kg of poppy husk drugs. In Jhunjhunu district alone, 8,153 opium plants were destroyed, as per police. 

Key arrests made from Hanumangarh, Churu, other districts

In Hanumangarh, two operatives linked to Punjab’s Bambiha gang were arrested at a checkpoint with 11 pistols and 22 magazines, allegedly destined for illegal supply. In Churu, a raid on hardcore criminal Suresh Sen’s residence yielded illicit liquor, banking documents and ₹5.3 lakh in cash.

Across ranges including Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Kota, dozens of NDPS and Arms Act cases were registered, vehicles and electronic devices were seized, and dossiers were prepared on 428 gang members.