Over 20,000 Arrested with Bounties, Nearly 80,000 Booked Under Gangster Act
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh, once infamous for its crime rate, communal riots, and lawlessness, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past eight years. Today, the state is recognized not just in India but globally for its robust law and order, largely attributed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s zero-tolerance policy against crime.
Under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership since 2017, the state has cracked down heavily on the mafia and hardened criminals. As a result, over the past eight years, Uttar Pradesh Police have gunned down 222 dreaded criminals in encounters, while 8,118 were injured in police action. Among those apprehended were 20,221 criminals with cash bounties on their heads. A total of 79,984 individuals have been booked under the Gangster Act, and 930 have been charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
The government has also taken decisive action against illegal and benami (undisclosed) properties. Properties worth over ₹142.46 billion have been identified, seized, and in many cases demolished, freeing them from criminal control.
Legal Clampdown on Mafia and Criminals
According to Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, from 2017 till December 2024, 68 identified mafia criminals had 795 cases registered against them and 1,408 of their associates. Legal proceedings led to the arrest of 617 accused. Special legal attention ensured that 31 mafia leaders and 74 of their associates were sentenced to life imprisonment or varying terms of imprisonment with financial penalties. Two of these convicts were sentenced to death.
Additionally, 359 criminals had their arms licenses revoked, and NSA proceedings were initiated against 18 of them. Under the Gangster Act, 752 criminals were convicted, and illegal assets worth over ₹4,076 crore were seized.
Stringent Action Against Crimes on Women and Minors
The Yogi administration has taken a firm stance against crimes targeting women and minors. Convictions have been secured in 27,425 criminal cases, including 11,254 under the POCSO Act and 3,775 dowry death cases.
‘Operation Conviction’ Brings Results
From July 2023 to December 2024, as part of “Operation Conviction,” 51 convicts received the death penalty, 6,287 were sentenced to life imprisonment, 1,091 received over 20 years of jail time, 3,868 were given 10–19 years, and 5,788 received sentences below 5 years.
Land Mafia Task Force and Counter-Terrorism Measures
A four-tier Anti-Land Mafia Task Force was set up, successfully reclaiming over 66,000 hectares of land from illegal occupation. Legal action has been initiated against 142 land mafias.
The state’s Special Task Force (STF) thwarted 653 heinous crimes before they could occur. Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested 130 suspected terrorists and 171 Rohingya and Bangladeshi criminals and their collaborators since 2017. With these concerted efforts, Uttar Pradesh has not only curbed crime but has redefined governance with a focus on law, order, and public safety, making citizens feel secure and confident in the rule of law.
