Delhi Police arrested a 28-year-old history-sheeter, identified as Nikhil alias Birana alias Nitin, a resident of Old Seema Puri, from beneath the Anand Vihar Railway Flyover near ISBT Anand Vihar on 23 June 2026. A country-made pistol — commonly referred to as a desi katta — along with two live cartridges were recovered from his possession. An FIR (No. 233/2026) has been registered under Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act at Police Station Patparganj Industrial Area.

How the Arrest Unfolded

According to police, on 23 June, a dedicated team received specific intelligence that an individual carrying an illegal firearm was present beneath the Anand Vihar Railway Flyover and was likely to commit a cognizable offence. The team, comprising ASI Ajit Kumar, Head Constable Sunil Sharma, Head Constable Vikas Dhaka, and Head Constable Anshul, was deployed for preventive patrolling under the leadership of the Station House Officer (SHO), Police Station Patparganj Industrial Area, and under the supervision of ACP Madhu Vihar.

During surveillance, the team noticed a suspicious individual approaching from the ISBT side. The suspect allegedly attempted to flee upon spotting police personnel but was overpowered after a brief chase. A cursory search led to the recovery of the firearm and cartridges. During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he had come to the area intending to commit theft or snatching.

A History Spanning 21 Criminal Cases

According to investigators, Nikhil has been implicated in as many as 21 previous criminal cases registered across Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. His record includes multiple cases under the Arms Act, theft, snatching, gambling, and offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Penal Code.

His prior Arms Act cases are registered at police stations in Sector-20 and Sector-24 in Noida and at Link Road Police Station in Ghaziabad. Theft and snatching cases have been booked at Madhu Vihar, Geeta Colony, Nand Nagri, GTB Enclave, and Patparganj Industrial Area police stations, among others. He was also previously booked under the Arms Act at Patparganj Industrial Area in 2023 and 2025.

Prior Police Encounter and Jail Term

According to investigators, in August 2025, the accused sustained injuries during a police action by the Noida Police in a case where he had allegedly travelled to Noida on a stolen motorcycle with the intention of committing robbery. After being released from jail in March 2026, he allegedly resumed criminal activity in the Delhi-NCR region before being apprehended by the Patparganj Industrial Area police.

Part of a Broader Preventive Drive

The arrest was made as part of Delhi Police's ongoing preventive policing drive aimed at curbing the illegal possession and supply of firearms across the national capital and adjoining regions. Police said that acting on directions from senior officers, the Patparganj Industrial Area team had been continuously gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance on criminals involved in illegal arms activities. Investigation into the current case is underway.