New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Vigilance Unit has registered an FIR against Mizoram cadre IPS officer Shankar Chaudhary (2011 batch) over allegations of conducting an illegal raid and keeping a foreign national in unlawful custody. The case pertains to a November 2023 incident in which a Nigerian citizen, identified as Harrison, was allegedly picked up from his Delhi residence without any warrant or official authorisation and detained at Mizoram House for nearly three days.
According to investigators, Chaudhary arrived at Harrison’s home along with local police personnel at around 3:34 am on November 26, 2023. CCTV footage accessed during the probe shows the team remained at the premises until approximately 5:40 am. During this period, a locker and two bags were also taken away. However, police sources said there is no official seizure memo or documented recovery record for these items.
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Harrison was subsequently taken to Mizoram House, where he remained till November 29. Vigilance officials noted that there is no lawful custody entry or detention record for this period. The matter escalated after Harrison’s wife contacted Delhi Police on November 29, alleging that her husband had been forcibly taken and that a demand of ₹35 lakh was being made for his release. Within hours of the complaint, Harrison was let off.
A vigilance inquiry later concluded that the entire operation was carried out without informing senior authorities and in complete violation of established legal procedures. The probe also found that three Delhi Police constables had allegedly assisted the IPS officer during the operation.
Based on the findings, the Vigilance Unit registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 166 (public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury), Section 341 (wrongful restraint), Section 342 (wrongful confinement) and Section 409 (criminal breach of trust), among other applicable provisions.
Sources said the incident has links to two NDPS Act cases registered in Mizoram in 2023, involving an alleged interstate drug trafficking network. However, Delhi Police maintained that regardless of the nature of the original investigation, the action carried out in the national capital was found to be unlawful, with no procedural compliance.
Chaudhary is currently posted in Mizoram in a narcotics-related assignment. Delhi Police confirmed that the investigation is progressing on multiple fronts, with teams examining CCTV footage, call detail records, Mizoram House entry logs and statements of witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Officials familiar with the probe described the case as rare, noting that it is uncommon for Delhi Police to register an FIR against an IPS officer serving in another state. Authorities said the matter is being handled with due seriousness, and further legal steps will depend on corroborated evidence.
Police sources pointed out that any officer from another state operating within Delhi is required to follow strict legal protocols, including prior coordination and authorisation. Preliminary findings indicate these mandatory interstate procedures were bypassed in this instance.
Delhi Police said the inquiry would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner, adding that stringent action would be initiated against all those found guilty, irrespective of rank.
The Vigilance Unit is also scrutinising the role of the accompanying personnel and verifying whether any financial trail exists in connection with the alleged extortion claim. More arrests or departmental action are likely once the evidence is fully assessed.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
