The Gurugram Police has written a letter to Director General of Police (DGP) Haryana, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the high-profile fake arms licence scam case and other crime of a similar nature. The letter was forwarded to the DGP on July 7.
In the first instance, a case regarding fake arms licences was filed on February 11, under Sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (used as genuine as fraud) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, sections 25-54-59 of the Arms Act and Sections 7, 8, 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Civil lines police station here.
Subsequently, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested eight accused persons, including three policemen. The SIT had said that it has also identified the other six accused involved in the scam.
The culprits were identified as Manish Bhardwaj alias Kala, the alleged mastermind, his accomplices, Mohan lal and Shanikant, fake stamp provider Gaurav and stamp maker Sonu Sharma apart from three policemen — suspended Inspector Jasmer Singh, former in-charge of the arms licence branch, Sub-Inspector Virender Singh and head constable Mahesh Kumar, who were posted with the licence branch.
Meanwhile, arrest warrants had been issued against the six other accused in the scam. The SIT had identified them as Khurja-based illegal arms makers, Kurban and Rehman, Inspector Jasmer’s brother Ved Prakash, Mohan lal’s son Yogesh alias Yashu, Azhar a resident of Bulanshahr and Naveen a Modi Nagar resident.
Further, the SIT suspect the involvement of three CRPF personnel as well. These CRPF personnel are renowned shooters. Further investigation also revealed that fake stamps of custom clearance have also been used.
“Azhar and Naveen were tampering with the serial numbers on the fake weapons that were being supplied by Kurban and Rehman. Yogesh was involved in getting the fake no-objection certificates (NOCs).
During the investigation, it was found that eight fake licenses issued from other States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir were re- registered in Gurugram on the basis of fake NOCs.
The SIT had recovered around 50 firearms of different make and calibre. Out of 50 recovered firearms, 18 weapons are of foreign make and were procured from Khurja and Modi Nagar in Western Uttar Pradesh.
Around 5,000 bullets and seven imported rifles were recovered from the house of Manish Bhardwaj, the prime accused of the scam.
Meanwhile, the SIT also suspects that the quality of these firearms is very good hence there is a possibility that these may be smuggled weapons.
In the second incident, a case was registered against Hardeep Bedi for purchase one 0.177 Air Pistol extra without the Knowledge and consent of the complainant by using complainant identity of the renowned shooter.
A case was filed on April 14 under sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (used as genuine as fraud) of the IPC, sections 25-54-59 of the Arms Act and Sections 7, 8, 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Civil lines police station, Gurugram.
According to the information received, the victim, Suraj Rao, applied for purchase of only one 0.22/I.R Eley free pistol and 15,000 sports ammunition of 0.22/ l.R Eley from ARTEK Company.
Rao had made a payment of one 0.22 free pistol and 15,000 spots ammunition. Bedi, who is representative of ARTEK had purchased one extra 0.177 Air pistol and ammunition from Mohan, Custom House Agent.
During the probe, police come to know that Bedi has purchased imported weapons by using other identity. “Both the cases are interlinked and there is a possibility of large-scale smuggling racket involved in smuggling of foreign made weapons in the name of shooting. Various States and Central Government department are involved in this case,” stated in the letter.
“The roles of few CRPF personnel, who are renowned shooters, have also been under the scanner. Various States and Central Government department are involved in this case and a detailed investigation is needed for better coordination and expertise,” a senior police officer said.
Talking to The Pioneer, Commissioner of Police Gurugram, Sandeep Khirwar said, “We have urged the Government to refer the cases to the CBI. Many people and persons are involved in this case. We have requested the higher authority to transfer the investigation of the cases to CBI”.