Delhi Police nabs arms trafficking accused Punit from Bulandshahr after years on the run
Synopsis
A man who slipped through the legal net for over a decade — wanted in a case involving 10 illegal pistols trafficked from Munger to Delhi — has finally been caught in Bulandshahr, UP. The arrest by Shahdara's Special Staff highlights how long-declared proclaimed offenders can stay off the radar across state lines, and how intelligence-led cross-state operations are closing that gap.
Key Takeaways
Punit alias Punjabi , 35 , was arrested from Khurja, Bulandshahr , Uttar Pradesh on 16 June 2025 .
He had been declared a proclaimed offender by the Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with a 2013 arms trafficking case.
In 2013, 10 illegal pistols and 10 spare magazines were recovered from him; he was found to be trafficking arms from Munger, Bihar to Delhi .
The accused has a history of eight criminal cases , including offences under the Arms Act, Attempt to Murder, and Dowry Prohibition Act.
Legal proceedings under Section 35(1)(D) BNSS have been initiated; he is being produced before the court.
Delhi Police arrested a proclaimed offender linked to an illegal arms trafficking case on 16 June 2025, apprehending Punit alias Punjabi, 35, from Khurja in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, after he had evaded law enforcement for over a decade. The accused had been declared a proclaimed offender by the Patiala House Court, New Delhi, in connection with a 2013 arms trafficking case.
How the Arrest Was Made
The Special Staff team of Shahdara district had been running an active intelligence-gathering drive against absconding accused persons. On 16 June, credible information placed Punit in Khurja, prompting the immediate constitution of a dedicated team comprising SI Rajkumar, HC Nitin, Ct. Rudrapratap, and Ct. Shekhar.
The team operated under the leadership of Inspector Ashish Kumar, In-Charge Special Staff, Shahdara District, under the supervision of the ACP/Operations, Shahdara District, and the overall oversight of the DCP Shahdara. After sustained surveillance and field verification in Bulandshahr, the team successfully located and apprehended the accused.
The Original 2013 Arms Case
According to investigators, Punit was first arrested in 2013 by the Special Cell, Delhi, in a major arms trafficking operation. At the time of his arrest, 10 illegal pistols along with 10 spare magazines were recovered from his possession.
Investigations then established his involvement in trafficking illegal firearms from Munger, Bihar to Delhi — a route that has historically been a known supply chain for illegal weapons in northern India. He subsequently absconded from legal proceedings and was formally declared a proclaimed offender by the court.
Criminal History of the Accused
Officials described Punit as a 'notorious and habitual culprit' with a long criminal record. He was previously involved in eight criminal cases, covering offences under the Arms Act, Attempt to Murder, House Trespass, Criminal Intimidation, Assault, and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
This is not an isolated instance of Delhi Police running down long-absconding accused across state lines — Shahdara's Special Staff has been conducting sustained drives targeting proclaimed offenders wanted in multiple districts.
Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, legal proceedings under Section 35(1)(D) BNSS were initiated against Punit. He is being produced before the court for further legal action, according to police officials.
The case underscores the persistent challenge of illegal arms trafficking networks that connect supply hubs in Bihar with demand centres in the national capital — a pipeline that enforcement agencies continue to target.
Point of View
More than a decade later. The Munger-to-Delhi arms pipeline that his 2013 case exposed has been flagged repeatedly by enforcement agencies, yet supply continues. Cross-state arrests like this one are operationally commendable, but they do not address why absconding accused can stay hidden for so long without triggering more aggressive inter-state coordination earlier. The real accountability question is systemic, not just operational.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Punit alias Punjabi and why was he arrested?
Punit alias Punjabi is a 35-year-old Delhi resident who was arrested by Delhi Police's Shahdara Special Staff on 16 June 2025 from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. He was wanted as a proclaimed offender in a 2013 illegal arms trafficking case in which 10 pistols and 10 spare magazines were recovered from him.
What was the 2013 arms trafficking case about?
In 2013, Punit was arrested by the Special Cell, Delhi, for trafficking illegal firearms from Munger in Bihar to Delhi. Ten illegal pistols and ten spare magazines were seized from him at the time, and investigations confirmed his role in the supply chain.
How long had Punit been evading arrest?
Punit had been evading arrest for over a decade. He absconded after his initial arrest in 2013 and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by the Patiala House Court, New Delhi, before being finally apprehended in June 2025.
What charges does Punit face now?
Following his arrest, legal proceedings under Section 35(1)(D) BNSS have been initiated against him. He is being produced before the court for further legal action on the outstanding proclaimed-offender warrant.
How many criminal cases is Punit linked to?
According to police officials, Punit has been involved in eight criminal cases covering offences under the Arms Act, Attempt to Murder, House Trespass, Criminal Intimidation, Assault, and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
