2 hrs ago
Delhi Court Calls Police’s Six-Year Investigation Delay a Mockery
A Delhi judge was upset that police took more than six years to arrest people accused of belonging to a crime group.
One of them, Mukesh, was booked under a law meant to fight organised crime in 2020.
He was arrested in February 2026.
The court said police had not explained the delay well and called their claim of doing their best a mockery.
The judge said the accused were alleged to have committed more crimes while they were not arrested.
The court ordered an inquiry into the police work and possible action against officers responsible.
The judge also said the delay went against the purpose of the law.
A Delhi court criticized police for taking more than six years to arrest alleged crime-syndicate members under MCOCA.
Mukesh, accused of leading a syndicate operating from Narela, was booked under MCOCA in September 2020 and arrested in February 2026.
The court said Mukesh was named in 20 FIRs when police booked him; eight more cases were registered by the time of his arrest.
Judge Gaurav Rao rejected police claims of “best efforts” and ordered an inquiry into the investigation delay and possible action against erring officials.
The court said alleged members continued committing crimes during the delay, frustrating MCOCA’s purpose of curbing organised crime.
- Who
- Special MCOCA Judge Gaurav Rao, Delhi Police officers, and accused Mukesh and Pradeep.
- What
- The court criticized the investigation delay, rejected police claims of best efforts, and ordered an inquiry into possible official lapses.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi; the alleged syndicate was said to operate from Narela in Outer Delhi.
- When
- The order was passed Monday, October 5; police booked Mukesh under MCOCA in September 2020 and arrested him in February 2026.
- Why
- The court said the delay and alleged continued criminal activity undermined MCOCA’s purpose of curbing organised crime.
Court's assessment
Police's stated position
Investigation efforts
Court's assessment
The judge said the police report failed to answer the court's questions and called the claim of “best efforts” a mockery.
Police's stated position
The Additional DCP said police officials had made, and were continuing to make, their best efforts.
Delay and its consequences
Court's assessment
The court said the long delay left accused persons free to allegedly commit further crimes and frustrated MCOCA's purpose.
Police's stated position
The police report referred to a Police Headquarters circular dated July 11, 2024, on expeditious investigations and timely arrests; the article gives no further police explanation for the delay.
Key facts
- Judge
- Special MCOCA Judge Gaurav Rao
- Court
- Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi
- Law invoked
- Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA)
- MCOCA booking
- September 2020
- Mukesh arrested
- February 2026
- Cases against Mukesh
- 20 FIRs when booked, with eight additional cases by the time of his arrest, according to the report
- Court's direction
- A detailed inquiry and appropriate action against officials responsible for investigation delays
Quotes
Gaurav Rao
Special MCOCA Judge at Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi
“If according to (the) Addl. DCP this is the best effort, then this court has nothing to say.”
indianexpress.com
“The claims of ‘Best Efforts’ of (the) Addl. DCP is nothing short of mockery.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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