Wanted arms manufacturer, supplier held in Delhi with 11 pistols, cartridges

The dealer, Richhpal Singh, was wanted in various states for his alleged involvement in smuggling of firearms to criminals. Delhi Police wanted him in four cases and had declared a cash reward of R1 lakh on his arrest.

The special cell of Delhi Police arrested a 48-year-old illegal firearms manufacturer and supplier of Madhya Pradesh (MP) with 11 illegal pistols and 14 cartridges from north Delhi’s Burari.

Richhpal Singh was arrested on Monday from north Delhi’s Burari after a brief scuffle with the police party. Singh is the kingpin on the interstate gang of firearms manufacturer and suppliers operating from Madhya Pradesh.

The dealer, Richhpal Singh, was wanted in various states for his alleged involvement in smuggling of firearms to criminals. Delhi Police wanted him in four cases and had declared a cash reward of R1 lakh on his arrest.

Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (special cell), said Singh was arrested earlier for supplying arms, ammunition and hand grenades to Maoists in Telengana. He said Singh’s arrest came 20 days after his brother Rajpal Singh was caught from Nizamuddin area with 30 semi-automatic pistols, a carbine and cartridges.

Singh was arrested on Monday from north Delhi’s Burari after a brief scuffle with the police party. Singh is the kingpin on the interstate gang of firearms manufacturer and suppliers operating from Madhya Pradesh.

“His interrogation revealed that he has links with Maoists in Telengana and he used to supply them firearms and ammunition. In 2006, he had supplied 3 pistols, 28 cartridges, and two country made hand grenades to Maoists of CPI (ML) Praja Prathigatane faction. He was arrested in that case along with two others,” said Yadav.

“Their interrogation revealed that Singh was the kingpin of the syndicate and he was the top manufacturer and bulk supplier of illegal weapons in Delhi and adjoining states. Further probe revealed that despite the arrests of his accomplices, Singh was continuing his illegal activities by sending weapons in Delhi and adjoining areas through his carriers,” the officer added.

Further interrogation of Singh revealed that he was into the hereditary illegal trade for over 30 years and had learnt the art of manufacturing weapons from his ancestors, who used to prepare these weapons for more than 80 years.

“Presently, his family members including his father and six brothers are involved in manufacturing of illegal arms in his village and supplying the same in various parts of country including Delhi. He used to send consignments of illegal arms in Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana, MP and Maharashtra through his carriers,” said the DCP.

Singh is so expert in his trade that he can prepare any weapon including revolver, pistol and even carbine. Pistols supplied by him are so good in quality that it is difficult to distinguish between these pistols with factory made pistols, he said.

“Singh told us that it costs him Rs3,000 to manufacture a pistol and he further sell it at R10,000. The same pistol is then sold to a criminal for Rs25,000 in Delhi and other states,” added Yadav.