Rajasthan Police Arrest Wanted Drug Smuggler Performing Puja at Ujjain Temple

Top Summary

• What happened: Rajasthan Police arrested wanted drug trafficker Rakesh Jat from the Mangalnath Temple premises in Ujjain.
• Why it matters: The accused carried a ₹25,000 bounty and had successfully evaded multiple law enforcement agencies for three years.
• What changes: Inter-state task forces demonstrate increased use of undercover surveillance at religious hotspots to capture high-profile fugitives.
• Who is affected: The active interstate drug trafficking networks operating across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The Arrest at Mangalnath Temple

The Rajasthan Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has successfully apprehended Rakesh Jat (33), a resident of Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. The arrest took place on Wednesday from the premises of the Mangalnath Temple in Ujjain.

The accused had been absconding for the past three years. He was arrested while performing a Kaal Sarp Dosh ritual, which he organized to alleviate mental stress accumulated during his period on the run.

Undercover Surveillance Operation

Acting on precise intelligence, an ANTF team disguised themselves in plain clothes as devotees. They initiated tight surveillance around the Mahakaleshwar temple area to monitor his movements.

After confirming his presence at the Mangalnath temple, officers surrounded and apprehended him. The fugitive was immediately transported to Jaipur before he could react or escape.

A Decade of Interstate Drug Trafficking

Rakesh Jat has reportedly been active in drug trafficking for nearly 10 years. Despite holding a professional diploma, he chose a path of crime to make quick money and joined an interstate smuggling network.

The Jodhpur Rural Police had announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to his arrest. ANTF IG Vikas Kumar highlighted the challenges faced during the three-year manhunt:

"The accused had been evading arrest by frequently changing locations, mobile numbers, and keeping his phone switched off most of the time."

With multiple cases registered against him in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, officials believe he possesses key connections to major drug kingpins.

What to Watch Next

Following his transfer to Jaipur, authorities will interrogate Rakesh Jat to extract details about his interstate smuggling network. Investigating agencies are expected to conduct further raids based on his disclosures to dismantle associated drug cartels.