GRP arrests man carrying US-made pistol

Mumbai: The Government Railway Police (GRP) on Tuesday arrested a 26-year-old Orissa resident and seized a US-made pistol and two live rounds from him. The accused, Chandankumar Chaudhry was nabbed after commuters saw him while he was trying to hide the firearm under his shirt to avoid getting caught during the luggage scanning.

The accused is a carrier and was promised Rs 10,000 to transport the weapon to Mumbai. The investigation has revealed that the accused had come to Mumbai to sell the weapon to an unidentified person. Chaudhry admitted that he visited Mumbai thrice in the past to transport illegal weapons. The police is trying to find out the identity of buyers.

“Chaudhry came to Mumbai on Sunday by Bhuvneshwar Express and met his friend in Boisar. After collecting the weapon from him, he came to CST and was trying to sneak into the terminal area, with the weapon,” said Vilas Chougule, inspector of CST GRP. He added, “Chaudhry panicked after seeing the baggage scanners and frantically pulled out the 7.65mm pistol to tuck it inside his shirt. After a commuter tipped off the railway police and they rushed to the spot and nabbed Chaudhry.”

Chaudhry was told that he would receive a phone call at the CST station from the buyer. “He claims he does not know the identity of the buyer. We are trying searching for his friend who gave him the weapon,” added another CST GRP officer.

The GRP officials have registered a case against Choudhry under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Indian Penal Code and he has been remanded to police custody for further investigation.