Abhishek Ghosalkar murder: Crime Branch cracks down on illegal weapons

There are reportedly over 12,000 licensed weapon holders in Mumbai. Representation Pic

The Facebook Live murder of Shiv Sena leader Ajay Ghosalkar has prompted the Mumbai Police and Crime Branch to investigate weapon licence holders in the city to prevent any misuse or threats of violence. The police are also concerned about individuals who possess licences from across India but fail to inform the city police upon arrival. There are reportedly over 12,000 licensed weapon holders in Mumbai, and the Crime Branch is scrutinising them ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to prevent any untoward incidents in the city. "The licence has been issued on valid reason where the licence holders has a threat to his/her life," said an officer.

According to sources, over the last seven years, the Crime Branch has seized 668 weapons in 627 cases of firearms and only 14 incidents of firing have been reported in the city. This year, approximately three incidents have been reported, including the murder of Ajay Ghosalkar, where the accused, Mauris Noronha, also shot himself using the weapon belonging to his bodyguard, Amrendra Mishra, whose licence was valid nationwide.

An officer from the Mumbai Police stated, "We have data on city-issued licences, but our concern lies with national licence holders who fail to inform the local police upon arrival. According to the law, if they stay in the city for more than six months, they must register their weapon with the Mumbai Police." "Apart from the licence holders, we are also checking criminals who have previous records to ensure that no untoward incidents are reported in the city, and no has an open access to an illegal weapon in the city." The officer added.

12,000
No of licensed weapon holders in Mumbai