Navneet Kalra, Owner Of Khan Chacha Accused Of Running Oxygen Concentrator Racket In Delhi

A day after four men, including the manager of a restaurant, were arrested for allegedly hoarding and black marketing over 400 oxygen concentrators in Delhi's Lodhi Colony, Police recovered at least 96 more oxygen concentrators from a restaurant in Khan Market area of New Delhi.

At the center of the racket and the prime accused is Navneet Kalra, the owner of famous eatery Khan Chacha in Khan Market and Nege Ju Restaurant and Bar in central Delhi's Lodhi Colony. Kalra is a well-known businessman who also owns the famous Dayal Opticals and in currently on the run. A manhunt has been initiated to nab him.

Delhi Police

About the raids

The Khan Market raid was a part of massive crackdown against hoarders selling oxygen concentrators in the black market amid an acute shortage. Delhi Police has seized over 450 oxygen concentrators in multiple raids across the city, the biggest being at Lodhi Colony which alone led to recovery of 419 machines. The Lodhi Colony operation has led to the largest seizure during this pandemic.

Today 96 #OxygenConcentrators found illegally stored in Khan Chacha restaurant in Khan Market. Till now, in last 24 hours, @DCPSouthDelhi has raided 3 restaurants in Delhi and they found 524 concentrators illegally stored. pic.twitter.com/rHv2RrGIKb

¡ª Kirandeep (@raydeep) May 7, 2021

And in the latest development, 96 oxygen concentrators were confiscated from Khan Chacha, a popular food joint in Khan Market. Police estimate the group has sold concentrators to over 50 people so far.

Two other restaurateurs are also under the scanner with initial probe suggesting they were involved in funding the procurement through a firm which dealt in sim cards, a senior officer said.

Delhi Police

How did the cops bust it?

The cops got the first tipoff from a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by Kalra to his acquaintance detailing his account details in lieu of a concentrator. Following this, cops mounted watch at Kalra's bar in central market, Lodhi Colony.

A lesson for all black marketeers and hoarders!

Team led by @prafulljha20 #KeepingDelhiSafe https://t.co/0lAOq083Gx

¡ª DCP South Delhi (@DCPSouthDelhi) May 6, 2021

After searching the restaurant, one person was found sitting with a laptop and was getting orders for oxygen concentrators via an online portal. On searching the restaurant premises, a total of 32 boxes of oxygen concentrators with 9 litre and 5 litre capacity were found along with a box of thermal scanners and another box containing N-95 masks.

Delhi | Four people from a restaurant-cum-bar in Lodhi Colony have been arrested in connection with black marketing of oxygen concentrators. Police recovered 419 oxygen concentrators, which were sold for over Rs 70,000. Case has been registered: DCP South pic.twitter.com/iWYgoxx3AM

¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2021

Detailed interrogation led the cops to a warehouse in Khullar Farm, Mandi Village. A further search was conducted at the farm and 387 more units of oxygen concentrators were recovered, which were being sold at exorbitant rates in the black market. Invoices of these oxygen concentrators being sold at over Rs 70,000/per piece were also recovered with fake MRP stickers pasted on them. Oxygen concentrators can cost between ?40,000 - Rs.50,000, depending upon the capacity.

Calls for strict action grow

City¡¯s eminent personalities are calling for strict actions against perpetrators of such illegal and inhuman activities when Delhi-NCR is reeling under the worst crisis ever.

Navneet Kalra owns a ton of properties in Khan market. He owns the most exclusive restaurants in New Delhi including Townhall and Nege and Ju. He owns Dayal Opticals. Yet he chose to profit from a pandemic. What a terrible, evil man.

¡ª Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) May 7, 2021

Navneet Kalra had more oxygen capacity than the Delhi Government it seems.

¡ª SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) May 7, 2021

Navneet Kalra turned out be a real scamsters, first Nege & Ji Bar now Khan Chacha emerges as hub of hoarding and selling oxygen concentrators. Sad that he scammed the real Khan Chacha's family of the legitimate use of the name.

¡ª Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) May 7, 2021

Even I heard this and also how Kalra has escaped to a resort and will soon be behind bars. Over 400 oxygen machines were seized from a warehouse in Khullar Farms, Chattarpur. Kalra¡¯s friends, Gagan Dugal & a partner in the illegal oxygen racket, is currently hiding In London. https://t.co/g5bY25euUZ

¡ª Alok Bhatt (@alok_bhatt) May 7, 2021

An FIR has been filed under sections of the Essential Commodities Act and Epidemic Diseases Act against the four accused who have been identified as Gaurav Singh, Satish Sethi, Vikrant and Hitesh.