The Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehended three men from Uttar Pradesh and confiscated four illegal pistols, two live cartridges, and a magazine in a special operation conducted before the city’s 149th Rath Yatra. The arrested individuals, identified as Rohit Jadon, Bhola Tomar, and Shivam Sharma, were found under the Sarangpur bridge following specific intelligence received by the Crime Branch during their patrol to combat illegal arms trafficking and ensure public safety during the upcoming festival.
Police seized four pistols valued at Rs 1.70 lakh, two live cartridges worth Rs 200, a magazine worth Rs 200, and two mobile phones valued at Rs 10,000, totaling Rs 1,80,400 in recovered property. The three accused have been charged under Sections 25(1-B)(A) and 29 of the Arms Act. Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had transported the weapons from Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat with the intention of selling them.
Addressing the media, ACP (Crime) Bharat Patel highlighted the heightened surveillance efforts by the Crime Branch in preparation for Rath Yatra 2026. Patel emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful celebration of the festival. The accused, aged between 20 and 22 years, confessed during interrogation that they had come to Gujarat under the leadership of Rohit Jadon to sell the illegal firearms.
According to Patel, preliminary inquiries indicated that the weapons were destined for Mehsana to be delivered to a man known as Ashraf alias Asu Mulla. The police are currently working to locate the alleged buyer. The suspects will be presented before the court to request police remand for further investigation. Rohit Jadon, one of the accused, admitted to being wanted by the Pinahat Police Station in Agra district under Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
