In a fiery statement aimed at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal has accused the central government of turning Delhi into the “gangster and extortion capital” of India. Addressing the media, Kejriwal raised concerns over the alarming rise in gang violence, extortion, and shootings in the capital, drawing parallels with Mumbai’s underworld-dominated era of the 1990s.
“In the last one to two years, Delhi’s law and order situation has worsened drastically. It is reminiscent of the 1990s when Mumbai witnessed open gang warfare and rampant extortion. Today, gangsters have captured Delhi. Businessmen are receiving ransom calls, and incidents of open gunfire have become shockingly common,” Kejriwal stated.
The remarks were made during Kejriwal’s visit to Nangloi, where he intended to meet Roshan Lal, a shopkeeper who survived a recent shooting. The AAP leader alleged that the BJP had deployed personnel to obstruct his meeting with the victim. “BJP has sent thousands of its people to stop me. I wasn’t allowed to meet him. Why is the BJP trying to hide the reality? Who is responsible for this situation? The Union Home Minister is responsible for Delhi’s law and order, and under his watch, the city has turned into a haven for gangsters and extortionists,” he added.
Kejriwal went on to outline the contrasting responsibilities held by the Delhi government and the Centre. “The people of Delhi entrusted me with education, health, and electricity, which I have improved. But the responsibility for law and order lies with the Centre, and the situation has only deteriorated. People are now afraid to step out of their homes, and extortion calls have become a daily occurrence. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Police response and investigation
In response to Kejriwal’s allegations, Delhi Police officials dismissed his claims as baseless and clarified the progress made in handling recent cases. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Madhup Tewari stated that the Nangloi shooting incident, which Kejriwal highlighted, had occurred two months ago and had been resolved promptly.
“The Nangloi incident was addressed swiftly by Delhi Police. Two suspects were arrested within a day, and weapons were recovered. This matter is being unnecessarily sensationalised now, even though effective action was taken,” Tewari said.
The shooting, which reportedly stemmed from an extortion attempt, occurred at a sweets shop in Nangloi. According to the police, gunshots were fired at the shop counter, and extortion notes were left at the scene. The notes bore photographs of deceased gangsters Jitender alias Gogi and Kuldeep Fajja on one side and listed jailed gangsters Deepak alias Boxer, Ankesh Lakra, and Vishal on the other.
The police investigation, aided by CCTV footage and local intelligence, led to the identification and arrest of two suspects. Hari Om alias Lalla, 27, and Jatin, 21, were apprehended in Rohini. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol, a country-made pistol, and live cartridges, along with the motorcycle used in the crime.
A political blame game
The war of words between the AAP and the BJP over law and order in Delhi underscores the complex power-sharing arrangement in the capital. While the Delhi government oversees key civic and administrative functions, law and order remain under the purview of the central government through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kejriwal’s statements appear aimed at questioning the BJP-led Centre’s handling of security in Delhi. “The people of Delhi deserve safety and peace. This deteriorating situation cannot be ignored any longer. The Union Home Minister must take accountability and act decisively to restore order,” Kejriwal emphasised.
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The BJP, meanwhile, has accused Kejriwal of politicising law and order issues for electoral gains, particularly as Delhi gears up for future municipal and assembly elections.
Rising gang violence
Delhi has witnessed an uptick in high-profile criminal cases in recent months, with rival gang shootouts, extortion rackets, and targeted killings making headlines. Experts attribute this to the resurgence of organised crime syndicates, emboldened by lax enforcement and turf wars among rival gangs.
Law enforcement agencies, however, maintain that significant progress has been made in cracking down on gang activity. Recent operations by the Delhi Police have led to the arrest of key gang members, but critics argue that such measures have been reactive rather than preventive.
As the political blame game continues, residents of the capital remain caught in the crossfire of escalating violence and the tussle for administrative control. The coming weeks will likely see intensified debates over law and order, with both the AAP and BJP trying to shape public perception ahead of upcoming elections.
