Delhi Police Cyber Cell Constable Moin Ali Arrested in Alleged Kidnapping, Ransom Case
A Delhi Police constable posted with the North District Cyber Cell has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a shopkeeper and a ransom demand in Old Delhi, police said on Monday.
The accused has been identified as Moin Ali, a 29-year-old constable of the 2024 batch from Budhana in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district. He was arrested on Sunday, October 19, 2026, along with at least one associate by a team from Kotwali police station in North Delhi. After the arrest, Ali was suspended from service and sent to judicial custody.
Police said the case began after they received information about a kidnapping and extortion attempt. During the investigation, technical intelligence and other inputs led officers to the alleged involvement of the cyber cell constable. Some reports indicate that police are still looking for two more suspects, while the probe into the roles of everyone linked to the case continues.
The incident is said to have taken place in the Lal Quila, or Red Fort, and Jama Masjid area of Old Delhi, around Ghadi Market. According to police accounts, Ali, along with a childhood friend named Sonu and another associate identified as Akhtar, targeted a local shopkeeper.
Sonu, who also runs a shop in the same market, allegedly knew that the victim had recently made good sales and suggested extorting money from him. On Sunday morning, the accused allegedly approached the shopkeeper, lured him towards a car and forced him inside. He was then taken to different locations while ransom demands were made to his family or friends.
Hindi media reports identified the victim as Ravi, or Ravi Dubey, describing him as either a watch seller or a street vendor in the area. Those reports said the ransom demand was around ₹1.5 lakh. One detailed account, published by Hindustan Times, said the original demand was ₹5 lakh and was later negotiated down during phone calls.
The victim’s friend refused to pay and alerted police through PCR on Sunday evening. Police then laid a trap and asked the accused to come near New Delhi Railway Station to collect the money. Ali and one associate were arrested there on Sunday night. By then, the victim had already been released and had reached home safely.
The case has attracted attention because a serving police personnel posted in the cyber cell is among those accused. Officials said the investigation is looking into the full circumstances of the abduction and the roles of all the accused. Ali’s suspension and judicial custody followed standard procedure after his arrest.
The matter has also revived concerns over criminal cases involving Delhi Police personnel. In May, a constable was among those arrested in a robbery case in the Bara Hindu Rao area. Police have not released a detailed official statement beyond confirming the arrest, suspension and ongoing investigation.
