Delhi: Illegal Beretta pistol, 4 cartridges seized in Shahdara; man held
Synopsis
Delhi Police intercepted a white car near Guru Gobind Singh University in Shahdara and recovered an illegal Italian-made Beretta pistol along with four live cartridges from a 30-year-old man who allegedly kept the firearm as a hobby. The seizure has opened a probe into the weapon's supply chain — raising questions about how easily military-grade foreign firearms are reaching Delhi's streets.
Key Takeaways
Raj Singh , 30, was arrested by Farsh Bazar Police in Shahdara, Delhi on 6 August 2026 .
An illegal Beretta pistol (reportedly Italian-made), four live .32-calibre cartridges , and two magazines were seized.
The accused was intercepted in a white car near New Sadak Road , close to Guru Gobind Singh University , based on prior intelligence.
283/26 was registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Farsh Bazar.
Singh allegedly claimed he kept the firearm as a hobby; investigators are probing the weapon's source and possible criminal links.
A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Farsh Bazar Police in Delhi's Shahdara district on 6 August 2026 after an illegal Beretta pistol, four live .32-calibre cartridges, and two magazines were recovered from his possession during a targeted patrolling operation. The accused, identified as Raj Singh, a resident of B-2 Block, Gali No. 26, Harsh Vihar, Delhi, was intercepted while travelling in a white car near New Sadak Road, close to Guru Gobind Singh University.
How the Arrest Unfolded
A dedicated patrol team from Police Station Farsh Bazar received credible intelligence on 6 August that a man carrying an illegal firearm would be travelling in a white car from the Vivek Vihar side toward Bhikam Singh Colony between 7 pm and 8 pm. Acting swiftly, the team established a strategic checkpoint at the indicated location and began monitoring passing vehicles.
When the white car arrived from the Vivek Vihar direction at the specified time, officers intercepted it and subjected the driver to a personal search. An illegal Beretta pistol, reportedly manufactured in Italy, was found on his person. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded two additional live cartridges and two magazines from the dashboard, bringing the total haul to four .32-calibre cartridges and two magazines.
FIR Filed, Investigation Under Way
Following the seizure, police registered FIR No. 283/26 dated 6 August under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Farsh Bazar. During interrogation, Singh allegedly told investigators he had kept the firearm as a hobby and to show off, according to officials.
Investigators are now working to establish the source of the weapon, the circumstances of its procurement, and whether Singh has any links to individuals involved in the illegal arms trade or other criminal activities. The probe is ongoing, officials said.
Officers Involved
The operation was led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Farsh Bazar Police Station and conducted under the supervision of the ACP, Shahdara, and the overall oversight of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Shahdara. The field team comprised Head Constables Avneesh (the investigating officer), Sachin, Amit Kumar, Diwakar, and Amit Malik, along with Constables Tarun and Ashish.
Significance of the Seizure
Police officials noted that the operation underscores the proactive approach of the Farsh Bazar team during preventive patrolling. This comes amid sustained police efforts across Delhi to crack down on illegal weapons circulation — a concern that has grown alongside rising incidents of firearms being used in street disputes and organised crime. The timely interception, officials said, likely prevented potential misuse of the weapon and has opened a thread into the broader supply chain feeding illegal arms into the capital.
Point of View
Bypassing customs and licensing frameworks designed to prevent exactly this. Shahdara has seen a pattern of illegal arms recoveries in recent years, and each seizure that does not trace back to a supplier leaves the pipeline intact. The real test of this operation's value will be whether it yields upstream arrests, not just a charge sheet against the end-user.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Shahdara illegal arms case?
The arrested individual is Raj Singh , a 30-year-old resident of B-2 Block, Gali No. 26, Harsh Vihar, Delhi. He was apprehended by the Farsh Bazar Police on 6 August 2026 after an illegal Beretta pistol and ammunition were recovered from him.
What weapons were seized in the Shahdara arrest?
Police recovered an illegal Beretta pistol reportedly manufactured in Italy, four live .32-calibre cartridges, and two magazines. The pistol was found on the accused's person, while the cartridges and magazines were recovered from the dashboard of his car.
Under which law was the FIR registered?
FIR No. 283/26, dated 6 August 2026, was registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Farsh Bazar, Shahdara.
Why did the accused allegedly possess the illegal firearm?
During interrogation, Raj Singh allegedly disclosed that he kept the firearm as a hobby and to show off, according to police officials. Investigators have not confirmed this account and are probing the weapon's source and any criminal links.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing. Police are working to determine the source of the weapon, how it was procured, and whether the accused has connections to individuals involved in the illegal arms trade or other criminal activities.
