Ex-National Wrestler Captured After Three-Year Search for Drug Trafficking Activities

Amit Sheoran, a 31-year-old former national-level wrestler, has been apprehended by police after evading capture for nearly a year. Sheoran, who won a bronze medal at the 2013 National Cadet Wrestling Championship, was arrested near the Madhuban Chowk Metro Station on Tuesday night. His arrest follows a coordinated manhunt initiated by law enforcement after he was declared a proclaimed offender in a significant opium smuggling case.

Sheoran, a resident of Rohtak district in Haryana, was wanted by the Jharkhand Police in connection with a case registered at the Dhurwa (Tupudana) Police Station in Ranchi. Authorities allege that he was involved in sourcing opium intended for distribution to wrestling training centers, known as akhadas, across Haryana and Delhi. Following his capture, he was transferred to Jharkhand Police for further legal proceedings.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch characterized Sheoran's arrest as a significant setback for organized crime. They attributed the success to "continuous surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering, and meticulously coordinated field operations" aimed at apprehending criminals who have been evading justice. Sheoran had been on the run since December 6, 2023, when a court officially declared him a proclaimed offender.

The investigation into Sheoran's activities gained momentum after the arrest of a Jharkhand-based supplier, Rajesh Nag, in April 2023. Nag was found with nearly half a kilogram of opium and reportedly confessed that his supply was intended for wrestlers in North India, naming Sheoran as a key recipient.

During questioning, Sheoran disclosed alarming connections between the wrestling community and drug use. He indicated that many wrestlers at the Mehar Singh Akhada in Rohtak and Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi consumed opium to extend their training sessions. Despite his previous achievements in wrestling, Sheoran's aspirations of joining the Indian Railways were overshadowed by his descent into the drug trade, which he entered after being enticed by an associate named Ranjeet, who promised quick financial gains.

The operation to capture Sheoran was initiated based on credible intelligence regarding his movements in the Ranibagh-Pitampura area. On August 18, a joint team from the Delhi and Jharkhand Police set a trap near the Madhuban Chowk Metro Station, leading to his identification and arrest around 10:00 PM.

Records indicate that Sheoran is linked to six criminal cases. Prior to his involvement in drug trafficking, he worked as a bouncer in various bars and nightclubs in Delhi. The Crime Branch reiterated that this arrest is part of a broader initiative to enhance surveillance and human intelligence networks to combat serious criminal activities.