New Delhi: On 5 September 2024, acting on a tip-off from a reliable informant, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) launched a carefully coordinated operation at New Delhi Railway Station. The RPF team was on high alert as they inspected several incoming trains. During their search, they uncovered 24 suspicious packages from four different trains. What initially seemed to be routine parcels turned out to contain a surprising haul: 498 grams of gold bars, 365 kilograms of silver, and ₹85.72 lakhs in unaccounted cash. The total value of the seized goods was estimated at ₹4.01 crores. Working in collaboration with the Income Tax Department, the RPF team carefully documented and secured the items for further investigation, marking the operation as a major success in curbing illegal activities on the railways during the Assembly Elections in Haryana.
This operation was part of broader efforts by the RPF to secure the Assembly Elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, which took place between 16 August and 5 October. With 60 companies of the Force deployed across the two states, the RPF played a critical role in maintaining peace and safety during the election period. The vigilance of the RPF throughout the elections resulted in the interception of illegal goods worth ₹12.86 crores, helping enforce the Model Code of Conduct in the recently concluded elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir. The seized items included narcotics, smuggled liquor, unaccounted cash, and other goods that could have potentially influenced voters. These efforts were instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the elections and demonstrated the RPF’s commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning of the electoral process by curbing illicit activities that could have affected the outcomes.
Director General of the Railway Protection Force, Manoj Yadava, praised his team for their dedication, stating, "Every election is a pivotal moment for our democracy. Through targeted contraband seizures and vigilant monitoring, we are here to protect that moment. I commend Team RPF for their unwavering dedication and hard work, ensuring the security of our railways and empowering every citizen to participate in the democratic process with confidence.”
By safeguarding the railways and intercepting illegal goods, the RPF not only secured the transportation network but also contributed to the broader effort of ensuring free and fair elections, allowing citizens to vote with confidence.
BI Bureau
