The focused action on externment has led to a drop in street crimes in 2024, a senior police officer said.

The police have externed more than 1,100 people out of Delhi for being involved in criminal activities in 2024.

The process of externment is to keep criminals away from an area for a certain period to ensure peace in society. When an individual is found fit for externment, proceedings are initiated against them under Sections 47 and 48 (removal of persons about to commit offences) of the Delhi Police Act.

Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Devesh Chandra Srivastava told The Hindu, “The focused action on externment ensured that active criminals are accounted for.” Further, he said, “Externing them out of the limits of Delhi had a salutary effect on other criminals, leading to a reduction in street crimes in 2024.”

“After externment orders are issued, it becomes tough for criminals to restart their activities in another State. He has to create new links, which is not easy,” an officer said.

Initially, the Delhi police serve a notice to criminals to explain why they should not be externed; if they are unable to give a satisfactory response, further action is initiated against them, he said.

According to the official data, the Delhi police externed 619 people in 2023, 311 in 2021, 176 in 2020, and 302 in 2019.