83 held for ‘nuisance’ after parade to welcome criminal let out on bail

Police impounded 19 four-wheelers and two two-wheelers. Manoj said that one of the cars also had a fake number plate and that an FIR is being registered in the matter.

Eighty-three men and one minor escorting a criminal released on bail from Tihar prison complex to Tughlakabad were apprehended in Delhi Cantonment on Thursday night for creating a ruckus on the road.

Pic for representation.

Deputy commissioner of police (south) Manoj C said around 9.30pm, police were informed that several men in cars and two wheelers were escorting Abid Ahmad, a resident of Tughlakabad Extension and a registered “bad character” at the Govindpuri police station, back home.

“We received information that a large number of people, including bad characters, will escort Ahmad and take out a ‘show-off parade’ via Delhi Cantonment. Accordingly, we installed a picket at Kirby Palace and apprehended them around 10.30pm as preventive action,” DCP Manoj said, adding that the men were playing loud music in their vehicles and creating a ruckus on the road.

“Of the 83 arrested men, 33 have cases registered against them, such as murder, attempt to murder, robbery as well as cases under the Arms Act,” the DCP said. Ahmad himself has 14 cases registered against him, including murder and attempt to murder. He was jailed this March.

According to police, 40 armed personnel were deputed at the picket in case the men attempted to fire at them. “These people usually escort criminals from jail, but this was the first time they came out in such large numbers. This time, we decided to stop the nuisance,” a senior police officer said.

HT c The arrested men were produced before a court on Friday.