Gujarat ATS Uncovers Extensive Fake Arms License Racket, Arrests Seven
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has busted a large-scale fake arms license racket involving fraudulent permits allegedly issued from Manipur and Nagaland. The crackdown has led to the arrest of seven individuals and the identification of more than 100 persons who obtained firearms using forged documents. The operation has revealed a network of arms dealers and license forgers operating across multiple states.
Gujarat ATS Busts Widespread Racket
The investigation began after intelligence inputs indicated that people in Gujarat were purchasing firearms using suspicious licenses from northeastern states. Acting on this tip, the Gujarat ATS, along with crime branches from cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, conducted coordinated raids in collaboration with special operations groups.
So far, 108 individuals have been identified as beneficiaries of these forged arms licenses. The permits were used to acquire weapons from dealers based in Haryana, who reportedly facilitated these transactions over several years.
Arrests and Arms Seized
Seven people have been arrested in connection with the case—Shelabhai Boliya, Vishal Pandya, Arjun Algotar, Dhairya Jariwala, Sadam Hussain, Brijesh alias Bittu Mehta, and Mukesh Bamba. Authorities have also recovered six firearms and 135 rounds of ammunition from the accused. The weapons included revolvers, pistols, and 12-bore shotguns, all sold using the fraudulent paperwork.
The arms dealers from Nuh, Haryana, are believed to have played a central role in the racket, producing and distributing fake licenses and supplying arms to clients across Gujarat using forged documents for over six years.
Fabrication Techniques and Further Investigation
Investigations revealed the use of several techniques to facilitate the fraud. These included completely fabricated licenses, tampered copies of legitimate ones, and manipulated old records. In some cases, licenses originally issued to different individuals were altered and used by others.
The ATS continues to probe the wider network involved in this racket, with officials indicating that more arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days. A case has been registered under the Arms Act, and authorities are reviewing documentation for irregularities across various regions.
This operation marks a significant step in cracking down on illegal arms networks and highlights the importance of vigilant inter-state coordination in curbing weapons proliferation and ensuring public safety.
