Delhi Police arrests NDPS proclaimed offender after 7-year manhunt
Synopsis
Seven years of hideouts across Faridabad, Loni, Ghaziabad, and eateries across Delhi-NCR came to an end near a metro station exit. The Delhi Police ISC's arrest of NDPS proclaimed offender Harpreet Singh is a reminder that technical surveillance and old-fashioned tip networks still close cold fugitive files — even when bail systems let them open.
Key Takeaways
Harpreet Singh alias Mani , 30, from Bathinda, Punjab , was arrested on 11 May 2025 near Dilshad Garden Metro Station , Delhi.
He had been a proclaimed offender since 23 September 2020 , after jumping bail granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2019.
The original FIR ( No.
03/2018 ) was registered on 5 January 2018 under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act at Bathinda Cantt police station.
Contraband seized in 2018 included 8 bottles of 'Wincerex' syrup , 4 bottles of 'Onerex' syrup , and 15 strips of 'Carisoma' tablets .
The accused is also wanted in a second criminal case registered in Bathinda; information has been sent to the concerned station for further proceedings.
The Inter-State Cell (ISC) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested a proclaimed offender under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on 11 May 2025, ending a seven-year evasion that took the accused across multiple cities in the Delhi-NCR region. The arrested individual, Harpreet Singh alias Mani, 30, is a resident of Bathinda, Punjab, and had been on the run since jumping bail in 2019.
Background of the Case
The case dates to 5 January 2018, when officials of the Bathinda Cantt police station apprehended Harpreet Singh carrying a polythene bag containing intoxicating medicines. Contraband recovered from his possession included eight bottles of 'Wincerex' syrup, four bottles of 'Onerex' syrup, and 15 strips of 'Carisoma' tablets. An FIR — No. 03/2018 — was registered against him under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act at the concerned police station.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail in 2019. He subsequently jumped bail and was formally declared a proclaimed offender on 23 September 2020. Verification also revealed that he is wanted in a second criminal case registered in Bathinda.
How the ISC Tracked Him Down
According to police, the ISC team worked round-the-clock over several months, combining criminal intelligence gathering, field verification, and technical surveillance to narrow down the accused's movements. Actionable leads indicated that Harpreet Singh frequently visited the Trans-Yamuna area of Delhi, while residing in rented accommodations in Ghaziabad and constantly shifting locations to avoid detection.
On 11 May 2025, HC Nemi Chand received a tip that the accused would visit the Dilshad Garden area. A dedicated team was constituted under Inspector Shivraj Singh Bisht and the close supervision of ACP (ISC) Ramesh Lamba. The team comprised SI Ravinder Kumar, SI Sanjay Kumar, ASI Ratan Singh, HC Vikas, HC Ram Hari, HC Narender, HC Nemi Chand, and Ct. Parveen Kumar. Harpreet Singh was apprehended near the Dilshad Garden Metro Station and arrested following interrogation.
Accused's Life on the Run
During interrogation, Harpreet Singh reportedly disclosed that after jumping bail, he moved through Faridabad, Loni, Hindon Vihar, and Ghaziabad along with his family. He maintained minimal contact with relatives and associates to evade detection, and worked at various eateries across Delhi-NCR during this period.
What Happens Next
Police said that information regarding his arrest has been conveyed to the concerned police station in Bathinda for further legal proceedings. The case is a notable success for the ISC, which specialises in tracing and apprehending inter-state fugitives. Authorities have not yet disclosed details of the second pending case against the accused.
Point of View
The burden of recapture falls almost entirely on specialised cells like the ISC, with no automated mechanism to flag or freeze the accused's movement. Seven years is a long time for a proclaimed offender to remain at large within the same metro region, working openly at eateries. The ISC's eventual success through tip networks and technical surveillance is commendable, but the case also raises questions about why the system took this long — and how many similar files remain open.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harpreet Singh and why was he arrested?
Harpreet Singh alias Mani, 30, is a resident of Bathinda, Punjab, arrested on 11 May 2025 by the Delhi Police Inter-State Cell. He was a proclaimed offender under the NDPS Act since 23 September 2020, having jumped bail after being caught with intoxicating medicines in 2018.
What was the original NDPS case against Harpreet Singh?
On 5 January 2018, Bathinda Cantt police caught Harpreet Singh carrying eight bottles of 'Wincerex' syrup, four bottles of 'Onerex' syrup, and 15 strips of 'Carisoma' tablets. FIR No. 03/2018 was registered under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act.
How did the Delhi Police track down the accused after seven years?
The Inter-State Cell used a combination of criminal intelligence, field verification, and technical surveillance to establish that the accused frequented the Trans-Yamuna area of Delhi. A tip on 11 May 2025 led the team to Dilshad Garden, where he was apprehended near the metro station.
Where had Harpreet Singh been hiding during the seven years?
According to police, the accused disclosed during interrogation that he moved between Faridabad, Loni, Hindon Vihar, and Ghaziabad along with his family. He worked at various eateries across Delhi-NCR and maintained minimal contact with relatives to avoid detection.
What happens next in the case?
Delhi Police have informed the concerned Bathinda police station of the arrest for further legal proceedings. The accused is also reportedly wanted in a second criminal case registered in Bathinda, the details of which have not yet been publicly disclosed.
