New Delhi: In November 2023, an unusual SOS call crackled over the communication systems in the police control room (PCR) that left many in disbelief. “Mizoram Police have arrested my brother and taken Rs 35 lakh, and are now demanding another Rs 20 lakh,” a distressed woman identifying as a Nigerian national in Delhi said in her brief call.
What left the police personnel at the PCR shocked was that the caller, who could not be immediately traced, naming Shankar Choudhary, a 2011 batch IPS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, behind the raids and illegal detention of her brother.
More than two years later, and after a series of departmental inquiries by the Delhi Police, including one by a Joint Commissioner of Police, has found that Choudhary indeed carried out unauthorised raids and seizures, beyond his legal and territorial authority and kept a suspect under illegal detention for four days at the Mizoram House in New Delhi’s posh Chanakyapuri.
On Thursday, the Vigilance Unit of the Delhi Police booked Choudhary under Sections 166 (public servant who knowingly disobeys the law, intending to cause or knowing they are likely to cause injury to any person), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The FIR was filed after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had, in July last year, recommended a detailed probe against Choudhary, following which the Delhi Police Commissioner nominated Sanjay Kumar Jain, Southern Range Joint CP, as the inquiry officer.
“Upon holistic examination of the facts, evidence, and testimonies, the following findings emerge: A. Shri Shankar Choudhary, IPS: i. Acted beyond his legal and territorial authority. ii. Conducted unauthorised raids and seizures within Delhi, violating legal and administrative protocols. iii. Kept a suspect, Harrison, in illegal custody for four days at Mizoram House. iv. Failed to document seized property, thereby violating legal, procedural and evidentiary norms,” Jain submitted in his findings of the inquiry.
The raids were conducted on the pretext of an investigation into two cases filed by the Mizoram Police in September 2023, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, against an interstate narcotics syndicate.
“Against Shri Shankar Choudhary, IPS i. Criminal Proceedings: Registration of an FIR under Sections 166, 341, 342, and 409 IPC for abuse of authority, wrongful confinement, and misappropriation of seized property. ii. Departmental Proceedings: Initiation of major penalty proceedings for grave misconduct, violation of CrPC, and acts unbecoming of a member of the Indian Police Service,” Jain wrote.
Choudhary’s phone was switched off when reached out for a comment and a response to queries sent on WhatsApp is awaited. The story will be updated if and when a response is received.
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‘Illegal raids while on leave’
As part of the proceedings, the inquiry officer recorded statements from at least 12 personnel who accompanied Choudhary during various raids and related proceedings.
Among them, the statements of three staff members of Choudhary were also recorded, who revealed that the IPS officer had taken two bags and one locker from the Nigerian’s residence, and that he was then illegally detained at the Mizoram House.
The Mizoram Police submitted a report stating that Choudhary chose to stay in Delhi after his leave expired 20 January and personally oversaw all raids in Delhi between 21 March and 29 March without any authorisation.
According to the statement of the police personnel, a team of Mizoram Police, led by Choudhary, who was a Superintendent of Police of the Mizoram’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force, came to the Anti-Narcotics Cell in Dwarka district on the intervening night of 24 and 25 November 2023 to seek assistance in a raid. During this raid, Choudhary and his team allegedly detained one suspect.
Following on, the team then carried out a raid at the Gautam Nursing Home in the Dabri area and detained three suspects, including Harrison. Following their detention, Choudhary allegedly took Harrison in his car and conducted raids at his premises personally, along with three of his staff members.
According to statements of police personnel accompanying Choudahry, he allegedly took custody of a locker and took him to Mizoram House the same night.
While the other two arrested accused were later produced before the police station in the South West district, Harrison was never produced before the local police station or a court in Delhi.
According to CCTV footage from Harrison’s house, Choudhary and his three subordinates were seen entering around 3.34 a.m. on 26 November, and all of them were caught on the screen leaving with Harrison and two bags.
Shortly afterwards, Harrison was allegedly brought to Mizoram House and kept in illegal custody till his release on the intervening night of 29 and 30 November 2023. In between, Choudhary allegedly came on three occasions on 27, 28 and 29 November to Mizoram House to interrogate Harrison before ordering his release on the intervening night of 29 and 30 November.
“Allegation of bribery apart from the PCR call, no direct evidence of demand or acceptance of bribe has been substantiated. However, given the timing and content of the call, the possibility of coercive monetary demand cannot be conclusively ruled out and requires further criminal investigation,” Jain submitted in his report, leading to the registration of the FIR.
(Edited by Tony Rai)