Ahmedabad crime branch arrests driver with illegal country-made pistol in Bapunagar, Arms supplier from Madhya Pradesh sought

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch's Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested a 40-year-old driver from Naroda for allegedly possessing an illegal country-made pistol without a license and has launched a search for the suspected arms supplier based in Madhya Pradesh.

The accused, identified as Jayesh Chhaganbhai Baraiya, a resident of Saijpur Bogha in Naroda, was apprehended on Friday afternoon following a specific intelligence input received by the SOG team.

Police said that personnel of the SOG Crime Branch were on patrol duty in Ahmedabad when they received information that a man carrying a firearm was standing near Luby Factory Gate No. 2 on the road connecting India Colony Crossroads and Memco in the Bapunagar area.

Acting on the tip-off, a team led by Crime Branch officers, accompanied by independent witnesses, reached the spot and laid a cordon. The suspect matching the description provided by the informer was intercepted and subjected to a search in the presence of panch witnesses.

During the search, police allegedly recovered a country-made pistol from the right pocket of the accused's trousers. An election identity card was also found in his possession. Upon inspection, no live cartridges were found loaded in the weapon.

The seized firearm, estimated to be worth around ₹25,000, was described by investigators as an iron-made country pistol fitted with a magazine and plastic grip panels. The weapon was sealed and seized following standard forensic and evidentiary procedures, with the search process videographed through the e-Sakshya application.

During preliminary questioning, Baraiya allegedly told investigators that he had purchased the firearm from an unidentified individual in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh approximately two years ago. He further claimed that he had been moving around Ahmedabad in search of a prospective buyer to whom he could sell the weapon at a profit.

Based on the recovery, the Crime Branch registered an offence under the relevant provisions of the Arms Act, including Sections, along with provisions of the Gujarat Police Act.

Police said efforts are under way to identify and trace the alleged supplier from Madhya Pradesh as well as any other persons who may be linked to the illegal arms network.

Investigators are examining whether the accused had any previous criminal connections and whether the firearm was intended for use in any criminal activity. Further investigation is in progress.