Did Delhi Crime Branch Uncover Major Arms Syndicate?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 15 semi-automatic pistols recovered
- 150 live rounds of ammunition seized
- Syndicate linked to Neeraj Bawania gang
- Operation led by Inspector Neeraj Kumar Sharma
- Previous criminal records for all suspects
New Delhi, Sep 14 (NationPress) In a significant development in the fight against illegal arms trafficking, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has apprehended a well-known arms supplier along with three accomplices, seizing 15 semi-automatic pistols, 150 live rounds of ammunition, and eight additional magazines.
Authorities revealed that this arms syndicate has connections with the Neeraj Bawania gang and other criminal organizations operating in the Delhi-NCR region.
The operation was spearheaded by Inspector Neeraj Kumar Sharma of NR-II/Crime Branch, under the watchful eye of ACP Narender Beniwal, and was initiated based on precise intelligence.
On August 11, a trap was set near Netaji Subhash Place, where 42-year-old Mohd Shajid alias Rashid, a resident of Wazirpur JJ Colony, was caught in his vehicle.
From his car, police seized 10 pistols, 118 live rounds, and eight magazines. A case has been registered against him under the Arms Act. Further investigations led to the arrest of three additional suspects — Vishal Rana alias Bhola (28), Aniket alias Pardeep (32), and Saurabh Dhingra alias Manny (38) — from various locations across Delhi.
Authorities confiscated five pistols and 32 rounds of differing calibres from their possession.
During questioning, Mohd. Shajid admitted to supplying illegal firearms to numerous criminals throughout Delhi, according to a statement from the Delhi Police.
Shajid revealed that he had been acquiring illegal firearms from various sources in Meerut and distributing them to several gangs and criminals in Delhi, including the Neeraj Bawania gang, Afsar gang, and others.
The illegal arms and ammunition were sourced from Meerut and Mawana in Uttar Pradesh.
Shajid has a lengthy criminal record, having been involved in illicit activities since 2012.
Remarkably, all four individuals were found to have previous criminal histories, with charges including robbery, attempted murder, and prior arms recoveries.
Interrogation disclosed that Shajid had been sourcing weapons from Meerut and Mawana at a price of Rs 35,000–40,000 per weapon and selling them to gangsters for between Rs 50,000–60,000 each, reaping substantial profits.
He confessed to having supplied over 100 firearms to gangs in Delhi since 2012, despite previous arrests, including one by the Special Cell in 2023.
DCP of the Crime Branch, Harsh Indora, stated that the syndicate's connections in western Uttar Pradesh have been identified, and additional operations are in progress to locate the suppliers.