NEW DELHI, March 2 -- A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of an IPS officer accused of conducting illegal drug raids in Delhi, keeping several people in his custody, and taking bribes for their release. Special judge (NDPS) Manu Goel Kharb of Dwarka Courts said the case was an example of clear abuse of authority and misuse of power by an IPS officer, who was well versed with the process of law and an insider to the law enforcement machinery. The present case relates to illegal raids conducted in south west Delhi in November 2023 when the accused, identified as Shankar Choudhary, was serving as the superintendent of police (Narcotics), Mizoram. An FIR was registered against him at the Delhi Police's Vigilance Unit under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. During the vigilance enquiry conducted by the joint commissioner of police (southern range), it was found that based on statements from Delhi Police personnel, daily diary entries and electronic evidence, Choudhary allegedly conducted raids without lawful authority, carried out illegal searches and seized valuables without preparing a seizure memo or maintaining statutory records. The inquiry revealed that Choudhary kept several people in illegal custody without formally arresting them or producing them before a magistrate. "It is expected of a person of the rank of IPS to maintain integrity and honesty in public service, high ethical standards and discipline in the discharge of his duties, but the applicant herein failed to maintain transparency and accountability and conducted himself in a totally defiant manner," the bench noted. Moreover, the officer also received bribes to facilitate the release of a foreign national. The court said Choudhary is also alleged to have fabricated the statements of three co-accused to connect them to the main kingpin. The raids pertained to two FIRs filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2023 in Mizoram, related to an alleged interstate drug smuggling racket. "The offence committed by the applicant undermines the integrity of the justice system, erodes public trust and tarnishes the image of police as a whole," the court underlined....