Mumbai: Police arrest prominent trader after apartment gunfire

The accused Rajiv M Ranjan at the Dindoshi police station premises

The Dindoshi police have apprehended a prominent e-bullion trader who locked himself in his apartment and fired several rounds from his licensed pistol in the air in an intoxicated state, causing panic among the residents of the society in Malad. Upon receiving a distress call from the accused's wife, the police rushed to the spot. After assessing the situation, they gained access to the flat and confiscated the pistol.

The accused has been booked and arrested under various charges, including the Arms Act. He was produced before the court on Monday and remanded to two days police custody. The man has been identified as Rajiv M Ranjan. The incident occurred on Sunday night while the entire police force was occupied with "Shabbe Baraat" arrangements.

The accused being arrested

As per the police report, the Dindoshi police received a call from the control room and a team rushed to the Goregaon East society, at 6.17 pm. The call was made by Ranjan's wife, who was standing outside their residence with her son when the cops arrived. She alleged that Ranjan had locked himself inside the flat and that they heard several gunshots.

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After engaging in dialogue with Ranjan, the police were able to gain his confidence, and he opened the door. The police found several bullet holes in the walls, mirror, and cupboard. During the search, the police found two revolvers and one pistol, along with used and live cartridges inside the house. After interrogating Ranjan it was revealed that the seized weapons were licensed and registered under his and his wife's name. "We have filed the case and arrested Ranjan last night. The motive behind the firing has not yet been disclosed," said an officer.

"The accused escorted his wife and son outside before locking the door from within. His wife continued to knock on the door, seeking help from neighbours. However, upon hearing consecutive gunshots from the residence, everyone fled the scene," said the officer. "In distress, the wife contacted the police. Once inside the flat, they observed damage including a broken glass door leading to the kitchen and a wooden cabinet with a bullet hole," the officer explained.

The accused has been booked under various charges, including the Arms Act

"In the living room, a 32-bore revolver lay on the sofa, with bullet marks on the wall. Three empty cartridges were discovered nearby, along with two live cartridges on the dining table. During the search of the cupboard, another 45-bore revolver and three live 12-bore cartridges were uncovered," said a police source. "The police seized all weapons along with the empty and live cartridges. Even after being brought to the police station, the accused continued to cause disturbance.

He began making threatening remarks to the police. He said every moment mattered to him, and threatened to retaliate against the police for each passing minute, vowing not to spare anyone," added the source. The accused Rajiv Ranjan is a business management professional. He served at mid- and top-management-level multinational companies, and currently he is working as head of business operations at e-Bullion.

6.17 pm
Time of the distress call