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Crime
Traders in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk decry limited police presence after robbery
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 30 Oct 2026, 09:56 AM
👁 1
Following a robbery in Chandni Chowk, shop owners say the police presence was inadequate, while officials argue that narrow lanes hinder effective crowd control.
A robbery in Delhi's historic Chandni Chowk market has sparked anger among traders, who claim that only a handful of police officers were on duty at the time of the incident. The shop owners say the limited police deployment made it easy for the thieves to escape through the market's maze‑like lanes.
Delhi Police officials responded by stating that the force has deployed a sufficient number of personnel across the market. According to the police, the cramped alleys and high footfall in Chandni Chowk make it inherently difficult to monitor every corner and to manage crowds effectively during a crime.
The police highlighted that the market's architecture – with its extremely narrow passages and densely packed stalls – poses operational challenges that go beyond mere manpower. They added that additional measures, such as better surveillance and coordinated patrolling, are being explored to improve security.
Traders, however, remain skeptical, insisting that a stronger police presence could deter future robberies and protect their livelihoods. The dispute underscores the broader tension between law‑enforcement capabilities and the unique spatial constraints of Delhi's oldest commercial hub.
Delhi Police officials responded by stating that the force has deployed a sufficient number of personnel across the market. According to the police, the cramped alleys and high footfall in Chandni Chowk make it inherently difficult to monitor every corner and to manage crowds effectively during a crime.
The police highlighted that the market's architecture – with its extremely narrow passages and densely packed stalls – poses operational challenges that go beyond mere manpower. They added that additional measures, such as better surveillance and coordinated patrolling, are being explored to improve security.
Traders, however, remain skeptical, insisting that a stronger police presence could deter future robberies and protect their livelihoods. The dispute underscores the broader tension between law‑enforcement capabilities and the unique spatial constraints of Delhi's oldest commercial hub.