Three arrested in Anantapur for trade in illegal weapons

A gang was busted following an investigation ordered by Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh after it came to the notice of the police that a gym operator in the city was in possession of a firearm and it was also test fired. A case was registered on December 12 for an in-depth probe.

Speaking to reporters on Friday (December 26), Mr. Jagadeesh said the arrested are gym operator Nalli Rajashekar Reddy of Anantapur city and police arrested Rohit Parmar and Shivam Singh Parihar, both hailing from Morena district of M.P.

The SP said Rohit Parmar and Shivam Singh played a key role in the illegal purchase, storage and transportation of weapons and in the supply and transport of illegal weapons, while Rajasekhar Reddy assisted them.

Mr. Jagadeesh said the three accused were operating as an illegal arms supply gang with mutual contacts. “Rohit Parmar and Shivam Singh Parihar had been purchasing country-made guns and bullets at low prices from unidentified persons in the Gwalior–Morena regions for the past few years and illegally supplying them to other States. Rajashekar Reddy came into contact with Rohit Parmar and Shivam Singh Parihar about three years ago while visiting Jalandhar, Punjab, to purchase gym equipment,” the SP said.

Believing that a gun would be useful to intimidate troublesome individuals at his gym, Reddy purchased a gun with their help and kept it. Using local contacts and business links, Reddy assisted the other accused in selling weapons, the SP said.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that a country-made gun could be purchased in Madhya Pradesh for about ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 and sold in States like Andhra Pradesh for a profit of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per gun. Motivated by this illegal profit, they planned to procure and sell multiple guns, which ultimately led to their arrest.

The SP warned that possessing or using illegal weapons in public places is a serious crime and will not be tolerated. Strict legal action will be taken against offenders. Mr. Jagadeesh said investigation is ongoing to identify other persons involved in the illegal arms supply network.