Bengaluru Police Book 4121 Cases Under Operation Suraksha Night Patrols

The Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru Police has booked 4,121 cases and is picking up an average of 14 people every night across Bengaluru as part of 'Operation Suraksha', an ongoing night-time enforcement drive. The initiative, which runs nightly from 10 pm to 3 am, was launched to curb anti-social activities, public nuisance, and street crimes to make the city's streets safer.

According to Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, the drive aims to instil a sense of safety and confidence among the public. During the patrols, CCB officers question individuals found behaving suspiciously late at night, roaming in groups without any apparent reason, or creating a public nuisance.

"If found involved in unlawful activities or creating a nuisance, they are taken into custody and booked under the Karnataka Police Act and others," Commissioner Singh said. He added that the city has seen a slight decline in incidents such as night-time snatching, stabbings, and other street crimes since the launch of the drive.

The operation is carried out exclusively by sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), who patrol vulnerable areas and take preventive action against offenders. This specialized drive is distinct from the regular Namma 112 Hoysala patrols, which primarily focus on responding to emergency calls.

Of the 4,121 total cases booked under various provisions of the law during this drive, 3,478 cases were registered under the Karnataka Police Act. The operation has also enabled the police to crack down on drug consumers and peddlers, as well as trace overstaying foreign nationals.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime-I) Srihari Babu, who is leading the operation, said the drive has helped the police identify and apprehend drug offenders, overstaying foreign nationals, and budding rowdies. To sustain these efforts, the police have identified 35 vulnerable hotspots across Bengaluru for intensified surveillance and regular patrolling. Commissioner Singh added that the department is currently mapping crime-prone areas based on crime data to prevent further anti-social activities.