As part of the ongoing MISSION CLEAN initiative, Shimla police have arrested nine more members of the notorious Shahi Mahatma gang, which has been deeply involved in drug trafficking in the region. The accused have been identified as Balwan Singh, Pushkar Chauhan, Vivek Kumar, Anshul Negi, Vikash Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Anuj Chauhan, Abhishek, and Harshit Chauhan, hailing from various villages in Shimla district.
The Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP), Sanjeev Gandhi, confirmed that these individuals were actively engaged in the sale of ‘chitta’ (adulterated heroin) in the upper Shimla region and had longstanding ties with the Shahi Mahatma gang. The arrests followed a detailed financial investigation and the gathering of technical intelligence from within the organized drug network.
Earlier, the kingpin of the gang, Shahi Mahatma, alias Shahi Negi, was arrested a few months ago, and it was revealed that this interstate gang had been operating in the Rohru-Chirgaon area for the past three to four years. The gang was involved in a drug trade worth Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore, primarily trafficking ‘chitta’ in the region.
To date, 52 members of the gang have been arrested. SP Gandhi praised the collaborative efforts of the Social Intelligence Integrated Network System (SIINS), which includes local civilians, women’s groups, school and college students, taxi operators, and hoteliers, all of whom are working with the Shimla police to gather crucial information on drug peddlers and users.
The SIINS system plays a key role in tracking and monitoring the activities of drug peddlers. It identifies areas highly affected by drug abuse and keeps a record of both active and inactive drug offenders. According to the data gathered through SIINS, the illegal drug business of chitta in Shimla district is estimated to be worth a staggering Rs 45 crore.
The police have promised continued action and are committed to further dismantling the Shahi Mahatma gang and other drug networks in the region.
