Collaborate with religious leaders, teachers, and community groups to enhance public safety

In an interview, Praveen Dixit, IPS, Special Rapporteur NHRC for Maharashtra & Goa, and Director General of Police (Retired) Maharashtra, talks about the challenges before the police force and the solutions. Excerpts…

Q: Convicted gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi and his rivals are increasing their activities, and the situation seems similar to the Bombay of the 90s. What are your thoughts on this emerging situation?

A: The situation in Mumbai today is starkly different from the 1990s. Back then, Dawood Ibrahim and his rivals hired convicted sharpshooters. Now, gangs recruit unemployed youth under 17 with no criminal record. Crime has become borderless, involving recruits from remote areas across the States and beyond.

Key figures like Amol Bishnoi, brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, are operating from abroad, with associates in Canada and other countries. Suspected state-backed operatives from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka may also be involved.

Three international factors complicate India’s security: ultra-leftist groups, Muslim fundamentalist sympathisers, like ISIS and Al Qaeda affiliates, and anarchist-backed organisations like those supported by George Soros. Rising trends in drugs, weapon smuggling, cybercrime, and cryptocurrency converge to exploit religious, regional, and social divides, fuelling organised crime’s rapid growth.

Q: What are the challenges before our law-enforcing agencies?

A: Crimes like youth radicalisation, jihadi recruitment, smuggling, cybercrimes, and cryptocurrency often have external links, with some countries sponsoring terrorism and fake currency.

Q: Gangsters in jails have access to mobile phones and other contraband and continue to commit crimes like murder, extortion, and smuggling. How can this be stopped?

A: Indian jails suffer from outdated infrastructure and British-era laws, with repeated calls from the Supreme Court for updates. Overcrowding in metropolitan jails contrasts with underused district jails, while trial delays worsen jail populations. Under the Bhartia Nagarik Suraksha Sanvita (BNSS), video conferencing has enabled remote bail hearings and healthcare access for over 11,000 prisoners since 2017. Most jails need modernisation within 5-7 years, with issues like mobile misuse and unauthorised media access on the rise.

Q: What is your take on Baba Siddiqui's matter?

A: More than 20 accused have been arrested from across the country. As per the investigating officer, jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol, believed to be living in Canada, was allegedly behind the murder, but the motive was not clear. The accused were provided weapons, cartridges, SIM cards, and mobile phones. It appears neither Baba Siddique nor his son had disclosed these threats. Celebrities receiving threats must inform the police immediately and avoid any routine that makes it easy for them to be identified and assaulted. This may be a business rivalry, not a political assassination. The investigation will determine the motive.

Q: Is Mumbai returning to an earlier period of the 90s when celebrities were receiving threats from underworld gangs?

A: Today, with legislation such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) as modified in 2012, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, the police are in a much stronger position to ensure stern action against criminals on record. These preventive measures would ensure the situation of the nineties would not relapse. Those receiving threats should avoid paying extortionists. People should have faith in the competency of the police and help the police to nab these criminals. At the same time, people should also take maximum precautions as suggested by police on their websites about their safety.

Q: What other steps are needed to improve the situation?

A: Cybercriminals use fake threats like digital arrests and social media scams to defraud crores daily. They launder money through 'mule' accounts, 4.5 lakh of which were frozen last year, often using stolen KYC documents. Police are investigating the bank officials involved.

To protect yourself, avoid unverified calls, suspicious apps, and unsolicited email links. Confirm recipients before transferring funds. Report scams to cybercrime.gov.in or dial 1930/14407.

Preventing youth drug abuse is also vital. Rehabilitation centres are available, and the 1056 DISHA helpline offers support. Reintegrating juveniles through skill training can deter crime.

Police should collaborate with religious leaders, teachers, and community groups to enhance public safety.