Special Correspondent
Pune: City is grappling with a sharp increase in gun violence, which authorities have directly linked to the rampant availability of illegal firearms. A recent incident in Kondhwa on Saturday has once again highlighted the dangerous trend. A history-sheeter, Pradip Sawant, was injured by a bullet misfired by his friend, Anil Chavan, using a pistol acquired illegally.
This case underscores the significant challenge the Pune Police face in tracking the manufacturing and supply chain of these firearms, often originating from villages in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. While illegal guns are being sourced from these areas, reaching the suppliers is a perilous task for law enforcement.
The incident in Kondhwa initially appeared to be a random shooting. Sawant initially told police that unknown passersby had shot him during a road dispute at Katraj. However, further investigation revealed a different story. Sawant and Chavan, both known criminals, were sitting together at Salve Garden, showing off their illegally acquired firearms. During their exchange, Chavan accidentally misfired, injuring Sawant in the shoulder.
Sawant fabricated a story to mislead the authorities, but the police, after examining CCTV footage and hospital records, uncovered the truth. Sawant had visited a private hospital for treatment and fabricated his version of events.
Following the incident, Kondhwa police filed an FIR, which revealed a troubling trend of criminals carrying firearms for self-defense or revenge.
Escalating Gun-Related Crimes
Once considered a peaceful city, Pune is now facing a surge in gun-related incidents. In 2024 alone, Pune Police seized 111 country-made pistols and arrested 155 individuals for firearm-related crimes, representing a significant rise from the previous year’s numbers—87 pistols and 137 arrests. This increasing trend highlights the gravity of the situation.
In another recent operation, the Sinhagad police and the crime branch seized seven illegal firearms, 11 cartridges, and arrested nine individuals involved in the illegal arms trade. The investigation revealed that the firearms were sourced from
Madhya Pradesh by a local resident, Sagar Dhebe, who had purchased them following an attack on his gang. Dhebe distributed the weapons, which eventually found their way into the hands of various criminals in Pune.
This follows other gun-related incidents in the city, including a shooting outside a restaurant in Kondhwa in December 2024, where a dispute escalated into gunfire, and a December 25 attack on a farmer’s residence in Wagholi. These incidents paint a concerning picture of the increasing prevalence of illegal firearms in Pune.
Police Response and Challenges
The Pune Police face significant challenges in combating the illegal firearms trade. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Nikhil Pingle, tracking down the manufacturers is particularly difficult. Many firearms are being made in rural villages in Uttar Pradesh, where the process of acquiring a weapon involves multiple steps and a careful vetting of customers.
In response to the rise in gun-related violence, the Pune Police plan to launch a specialized team of marshals trained to monitor externed criminals more closely, particularly through increased patrolling and vigilance. Additionally, the police are working on upgrading the MySafe database application to improve their ability to curb illegal activities in the city.
While the police are taking action, the situation in Pune continues to worsen, with gun violence becoming an increasing threat to public safety.
