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Massive Crackdown at IGI Airport: 540 Touts Held in 2024 as Delhi Police Target ‘Touts’ Adda’
Mrs. Usha Rangnani, an IPS officer of the 2011 batch, exemplifies the ethos of service and dedication in the Indian Police Service. As Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at IGI Airport, Delhi, her dynamic leadership has driven remarkable improvements in passenger safety and law enforcement. Under her stewardship, IGI Airport has witnessed transformative changes, with rigorous measures implemented to safeguard travelers against illegal activities.
In a bold move to eliminate touting, Delhi Police arrested over 500 touts in 2024 for duping unsuspecting flyers with unauthorized services. This marked a staggering 48% increase from the previous year, when 264 touts were apprehended. Police also seized 254 illegal taxis compared to 96 in 2023. These actions were conducted under the Delhi Prevention of Touting and Malpractices against Tourists Act.
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“Touts often prey on unsuspecting passengers, particularly at night, by masquerading as pre-paid taxi drivers and offering deceptively cheap services. These scams not only exploit passengers financially but also pose significant risks to their safety,” said DCP Rangnani.
Touting Scams Targeting Foreign Nationals
Foreign visitors have often fallen victim to these unscrupulous touts. In one high-profile case, a foreign tourist was duped out of Rs 98,700 by a tout falsely claiming that Delhi was shut down due to protests. Promising alternate arrangements, the tout and his accomplices charged the victim’s credit card for a trip to Varanasi but abandoned him midway.
Within 24 hours, police apprehended four suspects, including ringleader Amit Malhotra, froze their bank accounts, and recovered the victim’s money.
In another instance, a first-time visitor to Delhi was charged Rs 2,500 for a short taxi ride to C R Park. Both touts involved were arrested within hours.
Data Highlights and Preventive Measures
Among the arrested touts, 373 hailed from Delhi, 107 from Uttar Pradesh, 32 from Haryana, and 11 from Bihar, with others originating from Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. Additionally, police made 41 preventive arrests of repeat offenders in 2024, a significant leap from zero in 2023.
The Delhi Police have ramped up anti-touting efforts with round-the-clock surveillance, deployment of plainclothes officers, joint operations with RAXA (Airport Security Group) and DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs).
“These initiatives are part of our mission to make IGI Airport a safer and more secure environment for travelers,” said DCP Rangnani.
This comprehensive crackdown under Mrs. Rangnani’s leadership not only disrupts illegal touting networks but also reinforces Delhi’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global travellers.
