Daijiworld Media Network - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Oct 25: Six youths, including graduates holding degrees in science, commerce and computer science, have been arrested in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for their alleged involvement in the illegal arms trade, police said on Sunday.
The operation was conducted overnight by the Detection Branch of the CIDCO Police Station, resulting in the arrest of the six accused and the seizure of four firearms and 11 live cartridges.
Police personnel were reportedly surprised to learn that some of the arrested youths held degrees such as B.Sc., B.Com. and BCS but were allegedly involved in the illegal arms business instead of pursuing career opportunities after completing their education. The case is under further investigation.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-2) Ratnakar Navle, the CIDCO Police Station's Detection Branch carried out the operation and apprehended the six suspects.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the weapons were being brought from Madhya Pradesh and supplied to various locations across the city. Police suspect that an organised syndicate may be operating behind the network.
According to police sources, the accused were allegedly earning between Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000 for every weapon sold. Investigators are examining the source of the firearms, the identities of the buyers and the possible involvement of other people in the network.
The investigation has also revealed that two of the six arrested youths had previously been booked in cases related to assault and violence.
All six accused were produced before a court, which granted four days of police custody for further investigation. The police are now probing the source of the weapons, the supply chain and the possible role of other individuals connected to the accused.
The full extent of the accused's alleged involvement and the nature of the suspected network are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
The case has also brought renewed attention to concerns over educated youths becoming involved in criminal activities such as arms trafficking.
In June, following the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal at Pune's Lohagad Fort, purportedly involving his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had stressed the need for introspection into why some educated youths were developing what he described as a “vengeful and distorted mindset”.