Delhi Police Seeks 10-Day Custody of Drug Kingpin Navpreet Singh
Delhi Police seeks 10-day custody of Navpreet Singh, an alleged drug kingpin deported from Turkey, to investigate his massive narcotics network.
In a significant development in the fight against narcotics, the Delhi Police on Saturday approached the Rouse Avenue Court seeking a 10-day custodial remand for Navpreet Singh, an alleged kingpin of a massive drug trafficking network. Singh, who was recently extradited to India, is central to a sprawling narcotics operation spanning multiple states.
Extradited from Türkiye via Fake Identity
The arrest follows a high-profile operation to bring Singh back to Indian soil. According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Singh had successfully obtained Turkish citizenship by using a fraudulent identity under the name Navab Virk. Using this cover, he allegedly operated from abroad, smuggling heroin and methamphetamine into India from Afghanistan.
"Our agencies tracked him down, ripping apart veil after veil to unmask his true identity, and secured his deportation," Amit Shah stated, confirming that Singh is now behind bars to face charges related to drug trafficking and other serious crimes. The Home Minister further emphasized the government's commitment to dismantling every narco-cartel in the country before December 2029.
Self-Injury and Investigation Needs
The court proceedings took a dramatic turn when police informed the magistrate that immediately upon arriving at the airport, Singh had inflicted self-injury. The authorities confirmed that a Medico-Legal Certificate (MLC) has been conducted to document the incident.
The Delhi Police highlighted the necessity of intensive interrogation, noting that Singh's involvement extends far beyond the national capital. The investigators stated that he needs to be taken to several states to unravel the full extent of his operations, including:
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Punjab
A Network of Accomplices
The investigation has already linked Singh to a wider syndicate. Police revealed that a chargesheet has already been filed in a related case involving three other individuals: Ramandeep, Gurjeet, and Gurjot. Investigators have reportedly uncovered evidence of direct communication between Singh and these suspects, suggesting a highly coordinated smuggling ring.
Navpreet Singh had previously been declared a proclaimed offender by the court in February 2022. After hearing the police's arguments regarding the need for extended custody to facilitate interstate investigations, the Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its order on the remand application.