Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests 47-year-old with two illegal pistols, 4 cartridges in Vatva

The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch arrested a 47-year-old man on Friday. It seized two country-made pistols and four live cartridges from his possession during a late-evening operation near Bibi talav crossroads in Vatva.

The accused has been identified as Yusufbhai alias Mama Hasanbhai Patel, a resident of Vatva. He was booked under section of the Arms Act for possessing firearms and ammunition without a valid licence or permit.

The operation was carried out on January 9 as part of a patrol drive aimed at tracing absconding offenders involved in crimes against persons and property across Ahmedabad city, a Crime Branch official said.

Around 7.15 pm, Crime Branch personnel received specific intelligence that Patel, allegedly in illegal possession of firearms, was sitting in an open plot behind Allah Mosque at Bibi Lake Crossroads, Vatva. Acting on the tip-off, a Crime Branch team proceeded to the spot in a private vehicle.

The team identified the suspect based on the description provided and cordoned off the area before apprehending him. During a personal search, officers recovered one country-made iron pistol and four brass-cased cartridges marked ‘KF 7.65’ from the inner pocket of his jacket. The pistol was found unloaded.

When questioned, Patel failed to produce any arms licence or permit. During further interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that he had another pistol concealed at his residence. The Crime Branch team then escorted him to his flat at A-205, Golden-9 Flats, where a second country-made pistol was recovered from a safe in the bedroom.

The total value of the seized weapons and ammunition has been estimated at ₹50,800. During questioning, Patel allegedly told investigators that he had procured the pistols and cartridges from Alirajpur and Bhavra areas of Madhya Pradesh around two-and-a-half months ago.

Following the seizure, the Crime Branch formally registered the case late on Friday at 9.30 pm. Further investigation is under way to ascertain the source of the weapons and to determine whether the accused has any links to organised crime or other criminal activities in the city.