Delhi Police have dismantled a sophisticated illegal firearms supply chain operating in south Delhi, arresting three men involved in a multi-layered syndicate that leveraged social media to facilitate their operations, authorities announced on Tuesday. The trio, identified as Farman (22), Shadab Qureshi (23), and Mohsin (29), were apprehended following a week-long investigation triggered by a viral video.

The case came to light on September 3 when a video surfaced online showing a young man firing a pistol in public, raising alarm among law enforcement. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan revealed that the syndicate operated with distinct roles: “Mohsin was the primary supplier, sourcing illegal firearms, while Qureshi bought them at low prices and sold them to aspiring criminals for profits of Rs 5,000 to 7,000 per weapon. Farman used the guns to create fear and gain notoriety by showcasing them on social media.”

Using technical surveillance and intelligence, police tracked Farman to Machchhi Market road in Saket on the night of September 3-4, recovering a semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges from him. Interrogation led to Qureshi’s arrest in Chhattarpur, where a country-made pistol and a live cartridge were seized. Qureshi’s disclosures pointed to Mohsin, the syndicate’s supplier, who was apprehended in Subhash Mohalla, Maujpur, with another semi-automatic pistol and two live cartridges. In total, police recovered two semi-automatic pistols, one country-made pistol, and five live cartridges.

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Chauhan noted that Qureshi and Mohsin are repeat offenders with prior cases under the Arms Act, as well as charges for robbery and assault. Farman, a Malviya Nagar resident with no prior criminal record, allegedly sought to build a reputation among criminals by flaunting weapons online. The arrests highlight the growing challenge of illegal arms trafficking through digital platforms, prompting police to intensify efforts to trace the syndicate’s broader network and prevent further proliferation of illegal firearms in the capital.

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