Arms supplier linked to gangster Bawana, three receivers arrested

An arms supplier linked to the Neeraj Bawana gang and three of his receivers were arrested in Delhi along with 15 semi-automatic pistols, 150 live rounds and eight additional magazines, police said on Sunday.

According to the police, following a tip-off, the team on August 11, laid a trap near the parking area of Netaji Subhash Place District Centre and apprehended Mohammad Shajid alias Rashid (42), a resident of Wazirpur JJ Colony, Ashok Vihar.

A search of his car resulted in seizure of 10 sophisticated pistols, 118 live rounds and eight extra magazines. A case under the Arms Act was registered at the Crime Branch.

During questioning, Shajid revealed that he had been sourcing firearms from Meerut and Mawana in Uttar Pradesh and supplying them to several Delhi gangs, including the Neeraj Bawana gang and the Afsar gang, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime ) Harsh Indora said at a press conference.

He admitted to having supplied over 100 illegal firearms and making substantial profits by selling each weapon for Rs 50,000–60,000, after buying them for Ra 35,000–40,000, the official added.

Following his disclosure, the crime branch arrested three more receivers of illegal arms from different parts of Delhi.

Vishal Rana alias Bhola, 28, of Inderpuri, was held on August 17 with a pistol and three live rounds and was found to have two previous cases related to firearms.

Similarly, on September 9, Aniket alias Pardeep, 32, of Rajouri Garden, was caught with a semi-automatic pistol and two live rounds.

Four days later, on September 13, officers nabbed Sourabh Dhingra alias Manny, 38, of Kirti Nagar, and seized three semi-automatic pistols and 27 live rounds from him; Dhingra already faced three criminal cases, including attempt to murder.

Investigators said the supply chain of the weapons has been traced to Meerut, and further action was underway to apprehend the suppliers.