Ahead of Diwali, 1,645 kg of banned firecrackers seized

With Diwali round the corner, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has launched a citywide crackdown on illegal sale and storage of firecrackers. The police seized a total of 1,645 kg of banned fireworks and arrested six persons in multiple raids across the city.

The police seized 916 kg of fireworks from Dwarka, Rohini and Uttam Nagar; 412 kg from Shastri Nagar; 311 kg from Mukundpur village; and 106 kg from Ashok Nagar, Shahdara.

On October 3, the police got a tip-off about illegal stockpile of fireworks in Dwarka. After getting information, the police conducted a raid at a grocery shop on the Jhankaar Road and recovered 13 cartons and a sack of assorted fireworks.

The police arrested the shop owner, Akash Gupta (24) and registered a case under Sections 223(b)/288 of the BNS and Sections 5/9(B) of the Explosives Act against him.

During questioning, Gupta revealed that he procured the fireworks from Chander Kant (36), a porter from Uttam Nagar. Acting on the lead, the police arrested Chander Kant in Rohini with 400 kg of banned fireworks in his pick-up truck.

Based on Chander Kant’s disclosure, the police arrested Rishi Raj (37) in Uttam Nagar and recovered 182 kg of fireworks from him.

The police also arrested Rahul Sagar (34) from Shastri Nagar and seized 412 kg of illegal fireworks from his possession.

Sagar, a school dropout with a criminal record, was planning to sell firecrackers at higher prices during the festival season.

Additional raids in Mukundpur and Ashok Nagar led to the recovery of 311 kg and 106 kg of firecrackers, respectively.

In Mukundpur, the stock was hidden under the guise of an LED bulb manufacturing unit in a residential area, posing a threat to public safety, the police said.

All six accused admitted to knowingly procuring and storing banned firecrackers for profit despite government restrictions. The police also seized a pick-up truck used for transporting the fireworks.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Pankaj Kumar said the operations were part of the ongoing effort of the Delhi Police to enforce Supreme Court directives, prevent illegal firecrackers from reaching the market and safeguarding public health during the festive season.