Liquor seizure up three times from previous year, say police

New Delhi: After successfully managing nearly 12,000 political rallies, VIP and star campaigner events, and roadshows, Delhi Police on Monday said it was all set to ensure free and fair elections in the city on Feb 5.
According to the police brass, preparations will be robust for the next three days and a hawk-eyed vigil is being kept on movements. As many as 220 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed.
There are 1,284 polling premises and 6,068 polling booths spread across the city, with 238 premises marked as ‘critical'. Police have also been tasked with guarding 10 EVM storage centres. There are 21 interstate borders connecting Delhi with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, along with 47 minor borders.
So far, police have seized more than Rs 11 crore in cash and 39 kg of gold and silver. Liquor seizures exceeded one lakh bottles, up three times compared to the previous election. Preventive action was taken under BNS, and about one lakh preventive detentions were carried out, police said.
Additionally, 114kg of narcotics were confiscated this time, a sharp increase from the 50kg seized in 2020. In 2025, 217 illegal firearms were seized, a significant rise from the 197 weapons recovered in the previous election.
"These recoveries and actions demonstrate police's commitment to combating illegal activities and maintaining law and order," said Ravindra Yadav, special commissioner (law and order).
On measures to be taken after campaigning ends, Yadav said, "Liquor control measures are in place during the dry period, and night-time checks will continue. On polling day, everything will run smoothly."
Delhi Police has been working hard over the past two months, with the last month being particularly intense, Yadav added. "This election was marked by fierce competition. We conducted the Lok Sabha elections peacefully, and I can proudly say our arrangements ensured there were no untoward incidents. Due to the increased deployment, the number of PCR calls decreased, and crime rates also dropped," he said.