'Student' arrested with illegal arms in Sirsa

A student, who led a protest at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) over the cancellation of his admission, was arrested the same night with illegal arms in the Rania area of Sirsa.

Sourabh Mehta, who had taken admission in BSc (Physical Sciences), was found to have entered the university despite a prior ban. He and his associates locked the main gate on Friday, preventing the entry of staff members and students. The situation escalated until Registrar Ashok Sharma and Civil Lines SHO Radheshyam arrived and opened the gates.

According to officials, Mehta had been banned from campus after the police raided the university canteen, which had been sublet to him. Following security concerns, his entry was restricted. When the administration discovered his new admission, it was cancelled.

Later that night, the Ellenabad CIA police arrested Mehta from Rania and seized a 12-bore illegal rifle, 162 cartridges and a .315-bore revolver. During interrogation, he admitted to obtaining the weapons from a person in Uttar Pradesh.

Investigating officer Vikram said the accused, who was already facing a previous arms-related case at Rania police station, was presented before the court and efforts were ongoing to trace the supplier.

The university has lodged a police complaint against Mehta and others for disturbing the academic atmosphere.