Delhi Police Arrest 200 in Pre-Holi Sweep

The intelligence-led crackdown, dubbed 'Operation Aaghat 4.0', was a two-day synchronized drive targeting bootleggers, drug peddlers, and habitual offenders across the Southern and South-East districts. Of the nearly 4,000 individuals rounded up, 204 were formally arrested under various criminal laws, while 973 were taken into preventive custody. Seizures from the operation included 12 illegal firearms, 14 live cartridges, 24 knives, and over 15,945 quarters of illicit liquor. Authorities also confiscated 7.2 kg of ganja, 12.7 grams of MDMA, and recovered nine stolen motorcycles and 20 mobile phones. This preemptive action is part of a larger security plan for the festival, which will see more than 15,000 police personnel deployed across the city. Special focus is placed on preventing traffic violations, which have surged during recent Holi celebrations. Data shows a consistent rise in drunken driving cases on Holi over the past three years, with 1,213 offenders booked in 2025, up from 824 in 2024 and 559 in 2023. In 2025, over 7,200 fines were issued for traffic violations in total, more than double the number from the previous year. The heightened police presence aims to curb not only traffic offenses but also public nuisance and harassment. The festival has seen incidents of assault and violence, sometimes justified by perpetrators under the guise of the phrase "Bura na mano, Holi hai" (Don't mind, it's Holi). In addition to the crackdown, police are setting up numerous pickets at major intersections and sensitive locations to monitor for rash driving and motorcycle stunts. For this year's festival, liquor shops will remain open, as Holi has been removed from the list of official 'dry days' in the city.