Delhi: Man arrested for possessing, brandishing illegal firearm in Burari

A 26-year-old man was arrested in north Delhi’s Burari area for allegedly possessing an illegal firearm and posting videos with it on social media to establish links with gangsters, police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Deepak alias Jhumri, a resident of Burari, was held under the ongoing ‘Operation Shastra’ launched by the Delhi Police to crack down on illegal weapons and criminals displaying firearms on social media, they said.

Deepak used to upload videos on social media platforms while brandishing a country-made pistol to gain more followers and build contact with gangsters to earn money.

During social media monitoring, police came across a social media platform profile where a person had uploaded a photograph holding a country-made pistol.

The accused was arrested on the intervening night of March 3 and 4 while he was passing through RCC Road near the Transport Office in Burari.

During the search, police recovered a pistol and a live cartridge from his possession, and registered a case under the relevant sections of the Arms Act.

During interrogation, Deepak revealed that he wanted to become famous on social media platforms and had procured the illegal firearm from a person identified as Himanshu.

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He admitted that he began posting videos with the pistol on a social media platform to increase his popularity and also hoped to establish links with gangsters to make money.

Police said the accused is previously involved in three theft cases registered at the Swaroop Nagar police station.