Delhi NCR

Wrestler-turned-arms dealer nabbed by Delhi Police in Baghpat

Published by
PTI

The Delhi Police has arrested a 32-year-old national-level wrestler-turned arms dealer, alleged to be involved in several serious crimes, an officer said on Saturday.

Sonu Langada alias Pahalwan, police said, turned to supplying illegal arms to criminals after a road accident led to the amputation of his leg. He was nabbed after being on the run for nearly eight years.

Sonu Langada was captured on May 29 from his native village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, the officer said. He had been declared a proclaimed offender on June 29, 2017, in connection with an arms supply case.

He has a long history of crimes with involvement in at least six serious cases, including murder, rape, kidnapping, dacoity, and under the SC/ST Act, Arms Act, and excise violations, across police stations in Uttar Pradesh, the officer said.

Also read: ‘Who Will Care…?’: Delhi teen’s drunk driving wrecks family

While he went on his crime spree, Sonu lived with his family in the village and did farming.

He was arrested in connection with the murder of a cable operator on April 6, 2016.

Back then, the Crime Branch received inputs that two individuals – Rahul alias Sunny and Vikas alias Vicky — suspected of murdering the cable operator, were planning a retaliatory attack in Rohini, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Apoorva Gupta said.

Both suspects were arrested with a pistol, a country-made firearm, and 10 bullets in their possession and gave up Sonu Langada as the supplier of the arms under grilling, she said.

Sonu Langada managed to dodge police despite several raids for eight years, till he was traced to his village, the DCP said.

During interrogation, he said that he had been a promising national-level wrestler until his leg was amputated after a road accident in 2013. Struggling to make ends meet, he took to crime to support his family, the officer said.

Also read: Man sentenced to 20 years RI for raping minor daughter

“He aligned with local gangs and became an active player in the illicit arms trade, also supplying liquor to various criminal networks,” she added.

PTI

Published by
PTI
Tags: delhi police

Recent Posts

Chronic kidney diseases may accelerate cognitive decline; effects sex-specific: Study

The decline is primarily due to damage to the "heart-brain link" triggered by chronic kidney…

December 5, 2025

Café du Jardin: where Delhi trades concrete for croissants along a revived Yamuna

A French-style open-air café is drawing Delhiites back to a river they long forgot

December 5, 2025

Realme P4x 5G debuts in India with 7,000mAh battery, 45W fast charging

The handset features a dual rear cameras, 6.72-inch 144Hz display, IP64 water resistance, and up…

December 5, 2025

Illegal bar busted in north-west Delhi; 25 people, including customers, held

Delhi Police raided a late-night illegal bar in Samaypur Badli, detaining 25 people and seizing…

December 5, 2025

Tamil Nadu Police bus, car gutted in fire after collision in Delhi, no casualty

A rear-end crash near Delhi Haat triggered a blaze that gutted both vehicles, though no…

December 5, 2025

Red Fort blast: Court extends NIA custody of accused Soyab by 10 days

Court grants probe agency more time as NIA pursues wider links in Red Fort blast…

December 5, 2025