Delhi Police seizes semi-automatic pistol, arrests Arms Act accused in East District
Synopsis
Delhi Police's AATS intercepted a 20-year-old man near a DTC bus depot in East Vinod Nagar after acting on intelligence, recovering a loaded semi-automatic pistol he allegedly planned to use against a personal rival. The arrest underlines the capital's persistent illegal-arms problem and the growing role of intelligence-led policing in pre-empting targeted violence.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police AATS, East District arrested Lakshya Chawla , 20, from East Vinod Nagar on 1 July 2025 .
A semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from his possession.
The accused allegedly procured the weapon to target a personal rival, according to police.
A case has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Pandav Nagar Police Station .
The operation was based on intelligence received on 28 June and was led by Inspector Anand Singh under ACP Pawan Kumar .
Investigation is ongoing to trace the firearm's source and any criminal network links.
Delhi Police's Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS), East District, arrested a 20-year-old man and recovered a semi-automatic pistol along with two live cartridges from his possession on 1 July 2025, foiling what officials described as a potentially violent act. The accused has been identified as Lakshya Chawla, alias Lucky, a resident of East Vinod Nagar, New Delhi.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The operation was triggered by a specific intelligence input received on 28 June regarding a person allegedly carrying illegal arms in the East Vinod Nagar area. Acting swiftly, an AATS team laid a trap near the DTC Bus Depot in East Vinod Nagar and intercepted the suspect. 'The operation culminated successfully when the suspect was intercepted and apprehended. During his search, one semi-automatic pistol along with two live cartridges was recovered from his possession,' according to the official police statement.
What the Accused Allegedly Disclosed
During interrogation, Chawla allegedly revealed that he had procured the weapon to settle a personal rivalry. 'The accused disclosed that he had procured the recovered pistol with the intention of taking revenge against his rival over previous enmity and also for his personal safety,' police said. Investigators are now working to trace the source of the firearm and determine whether the accused has links to any organised criminal network.
Case Registered, Investigation Ongoing
A case has been registered against Chawla under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Pandav Nagar Police Station. The operation was led by Inspector Anand Singh, In-charge, AATS East District, under the overall supervision of ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar. The team included SI Vikram Singh, SI Sandeep Singh, SI Devender Kumar, ASI Rajiv Kumar, ASI Munender, ASI Praveen, ASI Satyavir, ASI Deepak Tyagi, HC Vikrant, and HC Ashwani.
Part of a Larger Anti-Arms Drive
The arrest is part of Delhi Police's sustained intelligence-based drive against illegal possession and supply of firearms across the national capital. This comes amid broader concerns over the circulation of illicit weapons in Delhi's east and northeast districts, where police have conducted multiple such operations in recent months. Officials noted that timely action prevented the potential misuse of the recovered weapon. Further investigation is in progress to establish whether any specific offence had been planned.
Point of View
Lowering the threshold for lethal violence. What deserves scrutiny is the supply chain — police have yet to establish how Chawla procured the weapon, and until that link is traced, the arrest addresses a symptom rather than the source. Intelligence-led interceptions like this one are operationally effective, but the capital's illegal-arms problem will not be contained by individual arrests alone.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by Delhi Police in the East Vinod Nagar arms case?
Delhi Police arrested Lakshya Chawla , alias Lucky, a 20-year-old resident of East Vinod Nagar, New Delhi, on 1 July 2025. He was apprehended by the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the East District after a tip-off.
What was recovered from the accused?
Police recovered one semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges from Lakshya Chawla's possession during the operation near the DTC Bus Depot in East Vinod Nagar.
Why did the accused allegedly possess the firearm?
According to police, Chawla allegedly disclosed during interrogation that he had procured the pistol to take revenge against a personal rival and for his own safety. Investigators have not independently verified this claim and further investigation is underway.
Under which law has the case been registered?
A case has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Pandav Nagar Police Station, New Delhi. The Arms Act provision covers illegal possession and use of firearms.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Investigation is ongoing to trace the source of the recovered firearm and determine whether the accused has links to any criminal network or had planned a specific offence. Police have not announced any further arrests as of 1 July 2025.
