Geetanjali Khandelwal IPS, Assumes Charge as Additional DCP, Shahdara

Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, a 2015-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre and former Captain in the Indian Army, has assumed charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara District, Delhi on Wednesday 2nd September 2026.

Prior to joining the Indian Police Service, Ms. Khandelwal served as a Captain in the Indian Army. During her career in the IPS, she has held diverse assignments across the AGMUT cadre, including in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh, gaining experience in field policing, anti-smuggling operations, cybercrime investigation, vigilance, city policing and operations.

During her tenure as Superintendent of Police, North & Middle Andaman District, she was associated with several significant enforcement and anti-poaching operations. Under her supervision, police teams apprehended Myanmar nationals involved in illegal poaching activities and seized prohibited marine resources, including a major seizure of sea cucumber valued at approximately ₹20 lakh. She was also associated with operations against narcotics, illegal cultivation and illicit liquor manufacturing.

Her work in enforcement and anti-smuggling operations received national recognition, including FICCI’s Best Performing Officer for Anti-Smuggling Operations.

Following her transfer to Chandigarh, Ms. Khandelwal handled key responsibilities relating to Operations, Cyber Crime, Vigilance and City Policing.

During her tenure in Cyber Crime, investigations under her supervision led to action in several high-value and complex cyber-fraud cases, including digital-arrest frauds involving victims who suffered losses running into crores of rupees. These investigations involved interstate networks, financial trails, mule accounts and technology-enabled methods of fraud.

Among the significant cases handled by the Cyber Crime Police during this period were investigations into the alleged cheating of a retired Army officer and his wife of approximately ₹3.41 crore, a digital-arrest fraud involving approximately ₹2.5 crore, and a major cyber-fraud network involving an elderly couple who were allegedly cheated of ₹38 lakh. The investigation into the latter case led to multiple arrests across different states and the uncovering of a wider network involving financial accounts and digital transactions.

Under her leadership, Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police also intensified action against organised mule-account networks used for routing and laundering proceeds of cybercrime through initiatives such as Operation Mule Hunt.

She was also associated with investigations into fake online trading platforms, investment frauds, examination malpractice and other organised cybercrime networks.

In her subsequent operational responsibilities, she was associated with action against interstate criminal networks, including operations involving alleged extortion and organised crime, resulting in arrests and recovery of illegal weapons.

Her professional service has received recognition at multiple levels. She is a recipient of the Police (Special Duty) Medal, 2022. She has also been awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation Certificate and the DGP Commendation Gold Disc in recognition of her professional service and contribution to policing.

Throughout her career, Ms. Khandelwal has worked across significantly different policing environments—from the geographically challenging and strategically important Andaman & Nicobar Islands to the technologically complex urban policing environment of Chandigarh.

As Additional DCP, Shahdara, she brings experience in conventional policing as well as emerging areas such as cybercrime, technology-enabled fraud, organised crime, public safety and preventive policing.

Based on publicly available reporting and police-related releases, We have found the following documented cases and major operations in which Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, was specifically identified as the investigating/supervising officer, SP in charge, or the officer under whose leadership the operation was conducted:

₹3.41 crore digital-arrest fraud involving a retired Colonel and his wife
₹2.5 crore digital-arrest fraud involving a former Chief Architect
₹38 lakh digital-arrest case leading to 11 arrests and an alleged interstate/international cybercrime trail
Operation Mule Hunt against organised cybercrime and mule-account networks
Apprehension of 9 Myanmar poachers and seizure of marine contraband worth approximately ₹20 lakh
Interstate gangster/extortion network interception and arms recovery in Chandigarh

Cases in News Reports with Source Links

A. Major Cybercrime Cases — Chandigarh

1. ₹3.41 crore “Digital Arrest” fraud involving a retired Colonel and his wife

An 82-year-old retired Colonel and his wife were allegedly duped of ₹3.41 crore through a fake digital-arrest operation.
Fraudsters allegedly impersonated investigating agencies and used threats, fabricated documents and prolonged video calls.
The Chandigarh Cyber Crime investigation was reported as being conducted under the supervision of SP Cyber Crime Geetanjali Khandelwal.
Police arrested accused persons in connection with the money trail and continued tracing other beneficiaries.

2. ₹2.5 crore digital-arrest fraud involving a former Chief Architect

FIR No. 64 dated June 1, 2025.
The victim was allegedly subjected to a fake digital-arrest and cyber-fraud scheme involving approximately ₹2.5 crore.
Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police arrested three accused.
The operation was publicly described as having been cracked under the leadership of Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, SP Cyber Crime.

3. ₹1.08 crore fake “BlackRock” online trading fraud

A Chandigarh resident was allegedly induced to invest through a fraudulent trading application falsely using the BlackRock name.
When the victim attempted withdrawal, further payments were allegedly demanded as “tax”.
The investigation led to the arrest of an accused linked to the fraud.
The case was among three high-value cyber-fraud investigations involving losses exceeding ₹1.37 crore, conducted under SP Cyber Geetanjali Khandelwal’s leadership.

4. Three high-value cyber-fraud cases involving more than ₹1.37 crore

Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police registered and investigated FIR Nos. 21, 22 and 39 of 2025.
The combined losses reported in the three cases exceeded ₹1.37 crore.
Five accused were arrested in the crackdown.
Public reporting identified the operation as being conducted under Geetanjali Khandelwal’s leadership as SP Cyber.

5. ₹38 lakh digital-arrest fraud — major interstate network with alleged Chinese links

This is arguably one of the strongest cases for a professional profile.

An elderly Chandigarh couple was allegedly cheated of ₹38 lakh.
Fraudsters allegedly impersonated Mumbai Police and CBI officials.
Fake arrest warrants, forged documents, WhatsApp video calls and psychological intimidation were allegedly used.
Investigation traced the money through bank accounts and cryptocurrency transactions.
Reporting linked one of the alleged masterminds to instructions from Chinese nationals through Telegram.
The investigation led to arrests across Chandigarh, Punjab and Chennai.
Initially six accused were arrested; subsequent action took the total to 11 arrests.
The operation was carried out under the leadership of SP Cyber Geetanjali Khandelwal.

6. ₹85 lakh cyber-fraud trail linked to the ₹38 lakh digital-arrest investigation

During the continuing investigation into the broader digital-arrest network, Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police made further arrests.
The case involved alleged movement of substantial fraud proceeds and interstate cybercriminal links.
The operation was publicly attributed to the leadership of Geetanjali Khandelwal as SP Cyber.

7. Fake online trading fraud — FIR No. 06 of 2026

FIR No. 06 dated January 13, 2026.
The case involved an alleged fake online trading scheme.
Two accused from the Mohali/Zirakpur region were arrested.
The operation was reported under the leadership of Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, SP Cyber Crime.

8. Coast Guard and government examination malpractice case

A long-running case involving alleged irregularities and malpractice in online government examinations, including the Coast Guard examination.
FIR No. 56 of 2022 was registered under IPC and IT Act provisions.
In February 2026, Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police arrested two accused from Kaithal.
The breakthrough was reported under the leadership of SP Cyber Geetanjali Khandelwal.

9. Organised “Mule Account” cyber-fraud network — Operation Mule Hunt

Chandigarh-based bank accounts were allegedly being used to receive, layer, withdraw and transfer proceeds of cybercrime.
The network had links to fraud complaints originating across multiple states.
Police identified accounts allegedly functioning as mule accounts for organised cybercriminal networks.
Arrests were made under Operation Mule Hunt, specifically reported as operating under Geetanjali Khandelwal’s direction.

10. Major Mule Account crackdown — 10 accused arrested

A separate major crackdown against an organised mule-account network resulted in approximately 10 arrests.
The investigation involved suspicious accounts linked to digital-arrest scams, part-time job fraud and the layering of illegally obtained money.
The operation was publicly reported under the leadership of SP Cyber Geetanjali Khandelwal.

11. Digital-arrest fraud network — wider crackdown

Chandigarh Police data and reporting during her tenure as SP Cyber documented extensive action against digital-arrest fraud.
By July 2025, the Cyber Crime Police Station had registered 23 digital-arrest FIRs since 2023 and arrested 34 accused, with a significant number of arrests occurring in 2025.
Khandelwal publicly described investigations into fraud networks, fake call centres and money-mule operations, including networks operating outside Chandigarh with wider pan-India links.

B. Major Anti-Poaching and Wildlife Crime Operations — Andaman & Nicobar Islands

12. Apprehension of 9 Myanmar poachers and seizure of sea cucumber worth approximately ₹20 lakh

This is another particularly significant operation.

The Anti-Poaching Team apprehended nine Myanmar nationals in a major operation.
Police seized boats and approximately 60 kg of sea cucumber.
The total value of the seized marine resources was reported at approximately ₹20 lakh.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, Superintendent of Police, North & Middle Andaman District.

13. Apprehension of seven additional foreign poachers

During continuing anti-poaching operations in the forest and creek areas under Kalighat Police Station, police teams conducted intensive combing operations.
Seven foreign poachers were apprehended after allegedly attempting to evade the police.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Geetanjali Khandelwal as SP, North & Middle Andaman.

C. Narcotics and NDPS Cases — Andaman & Nicobar Islands

14. Cannabis cultivation case at Diglipur

Police acted on intelligence regarding alleged cultivation of cannabis.
Five cannabis plants weighing approximately 1.57 kg were seized.
One accused was arrested and an NDPS case was registered.
The operation was conducted under the overall direction and supervision of Geetanjali Khandelwal as SP, North & Middle Andaman.

15. Contraband ganja seizure at Rangat

Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted an accused allegedly carrying contraband.
Approximately 860 grams of ganja was seized.
A case was registered under the NDPS Act.
The operation was carried out under the overall direction and supervision of Geetanjali Khandelwal as SP, North & Middle Andaman.

D. Illicit Liquor Crackdown — North & Middle Andaman

16. Jungle raid against illicit liquor manufacturing

Police conducted a raid in the Govindpur-2 forest area.
Approximately 500 litres of illicit “Lehan” and equipment allegedly used for illegal liquor production were seized and destroyed.
The operation was carried out under the overall direction and supervision of Geetanjali Khandelwal.

E. Major Operations During Chandigarh SP Operations Tenure

17. Interstate criminal network linked to an overseas-based gangster

In August 2026, Chandigarh Police reportedly intercepted three alleged gang members who were allegedly proceeding towards Gurugram for a firing and extortion operation.
Police subsequently arrested four suspects linked to the network.
Weapons including a Turkish Zigana pistol, Chinese-made pistols, magazines and live cartridges were reportedly recovered.
The operation was publicly associated with SP Operations Geetanjali Khandelwal.