Gun violence remains a cause for concern ahead of Assembly elections

Delhi assembly elections: Gun violence in Delhi has reached alarming levels, maintaining its intensity for over five years. As the city prepares for Assembly Elections, the unrestrained influx of illegal weapons threatens to disrupt law and order, prompting a focused crackdown by law enforcement agencies.

Between January 7 and January 13, Delhi Police seized 105 unlicensed arms and 78 cartridges. The crackdown was conducted to address violations of the Model Code of Conduct, which is enforced during the election period.

A persistent challenge under the arms act

The Arms Act, implemented in 1959 to curb violence and regulate firearms, categorises weapons into Prohibited Bore (PB) and Non Prohibited Bore (NPB). Automatic and semi automatic firearms, except pistols, fall under PB. Weapons like .303 rifles, 7.62mm, .455; .45mm rimless, and 9mm pistols are also classified as PB.

Bladed weapons over nine inches, such as swords and switchblades, are prohibited for civilian use. Despite these regulations, such weapons are frequently used in crimes in Delhi. “Many Arms Act cases involve prohibited bladed weapons like button actuated knives or switchblades. Guns are also increasingly used by criminals, especially in gang-related crimes,” a Delhi Police official said.

According to police data, 3,526 cases under the Arms Act were registered in 2024, a slight decrease from 3,579 in 2023. The numbers reflect a marginal 1.4% reduction, yet the flow of illegal arms remains a pressing concern.

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Gangs and elections linked violence

Organised crime has played a significant role in the rise in gun violence in Delhi. An earlier report by Patriot revealed that, by October 31, the city recorded 186 cases under Section 308 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the now-defunct Section 383 of the IPC, both related to extortion. Gang-related activity often escalates during elections, with criminal groups leveraging the period to intimidate rivals and assert dominance.

The Delhi Police has identified 11 prominent gangs, including the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, Himanshu Bhau gang, and Neeraj Bawana gang. A spate of high-profile incidents underscores the threat they pose. On November 4, Aman alias Shera, a sharpshooter from the Gogi gang, was involved in an extortion and shooting case at a plywood store in Nangloi. Similarly, on September 27, members of the Bhau gang fired 20 rounds outside a car dealership in Naraina.

On September 12, gym trainer Nadir Shah was murdered, allegedly by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba gangs. In a chilling Facebook post, a gang member claimed responsibility, warning of further violence.

Where are the weapons coming from?

The majority of illegal arms in Delhi are smuggled from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, particularly from Ghaziabad’s Loni region. These weapons, often crude and dangerous, are colloquially referred to as Country Made Pistols (CMPs) or katta.

“These are made with water pipes, scrap metal, and screws, with little quality control. They are as much a hazard to the target as to the user, as there’s always a risk of the weapon bursting,” a Crime Branch official explained.

Illegal gun factories are frequently uncovered in the area. In February 2023, police seized 33 pistols and 21 partially made firearms from a factory in Ghaziabad. However, jurisdictional limitations complicate efforts to curb the influx of these weapons into Delhi.

A troubling decade of violence

The past decade has seen a steady rise in Arms Act cases, with over 3,000 incidents reported annually since 2019. The lowest number in recent years was recorded in 2021, when 2,923 cases coincided with pandemic restrictions.

Despite a marginal decline in cases, Delhi’s underworld continues to grapple with escalating violence. Switchblades and sophisticated pistols remain the weapons of choice for criminals. Gang activity, combined with easy access to arms, has created a volatile atmosphere in the lead up to elections.

The human cost of violence

Not all violence stems from organised crime. On Deepawali, a 40-year-old man and his 16-year-old nephew were shot dead in Shahdara by a juvenile relative. The victims, Akash Sharma and his nephew, were killed outside their home, and Sharma’s 15-year-old son was injured.

Similarly, on October 2, a 17-year-old shot dead Dr Javed Akhtar, a Unani doctor, at his nursing home in Kalindi Kunj. The teenager later admitted to the crime in a social media post, writing that he had “finally killed” someone.

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Elections and the road ahead

As Assembly Elections approach, the rise in gun violence and illegal arms poses a grave threat to democracy and public safety. While Delhi Police’s efforts to crack down on unlicensed weapons are commendable, systemic issues and cross border challenges must be addressed to ensure a secure election period.