Bhopal police arrest two habitual offenders in Irani Dera raid
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bhopal police arrested two men with extensive criminal records during a coordinated late-night raid at Irani Dera in Aman Colony on 10 June 2025, officials confirmed on Thursday. The operation targeted absconding accused and was aimed at executing pending warrants against persons evading law enforcement.
How the Operation Unfolded
A team of approximately 40 personnel drawn from Nishatpura, Chhola Mandir, and Gandhinagar police stations conducted the search. The operation was carried out on the instructions of Police Commissioner Sanjay Singh and supervised by senior officials. The raid caused a brief disturbance in the locality but concluded without any law-and-order breakdown, according to police.
Who Was Arrested
The first person detained was identified as Salig alias Rehan Irani, classified as a 'surveillance criminal' at Nishatpura police station — a designation used for habitual offenders kept under regular watch. Officials said Salig had been evading arrest by sheltering in the dera for an extended period. According to police records, 24 cases are registered against him across various districts, including Bhopal, covering charges of robbery, theft, fraud, assault, and attempted murder. A cumulative reward of ₹17,000 had been announced across different cases, and a court had also issued an arrest warrant against him.
The second person arrested was Rizwan Hussain, taken into custody in connection with a case originating from Panna district. Police said 15 cases are registered against Rizwan across Madhya Pradesh and other states, including charges of theft, robbery, fraud, and assault.
What Investigators Said
'Both accused have been taken into custody and are being interrogated. The interrogation could yield crucial information regarding other crimes and connections to other gang members,' a police official said. Authorities added that the settlement at Irani Dera has remained under sustained police watch owing to the presence of individuals with criminal histories.
Broader Impact on Local Crime
Officials noted that regular search operations and surveillance in the area have contributed to a measurable decline in mobile snatching and property-related crimes under the Nishatpura police station jurisdiction. Police said similar operations will continue across Bhopal to trace other absconders and execute pending warrants, signalling that the crackdown is part of a wider, ongoing enforcement drive rather than a one-off action.