The Gujarat Police, which is investigating a fraudulently procured gun licenses racket, have reportedly stumbled upon the alleged involvement of a state minister’s son. Vishal Patel, a resident of Surat and son of minister of state for agriculture and energy Mukesh Patel, procured a license from Nagaland.
Though the Gujarat Police have not given any confirmation to this, the alleged involvement is also being discussed in the corridors of power. Opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat have criticised the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. A section of the media also put up a photograph that is believed to be of Vishal Patel’s gun license. The minister could not be reached for his comments.
The licenses have been procured in the last six years from the northeastern states of Manipur and Nagaland. Police sources said that in the last fortnight, more than 65 people have been arrested from different parts of Gujarat for possessing arms and ammunition based on licenses allegedly procured from these two states.
Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has also busted a “larger conspiracy” behind the scam being operated primarily by two gun houses located in Nuh Haryana and Surat.
Arrests have been made in Surendranagar and Surat. Guns and cartridges have been recovered from those arrested.
Investigations also revealed that Atul Patel, owner of Gajanan Gun House in Surat, supplied 51 weapons on fake licenses. He has been arrested.
ATS has also arrested the gang’s second alleged mastermind Saukat Ali Chotukhan from Nagaland, originally a resident of Nuh. He is accused of making fake licenses for the past six years for residents of Gujarat.
Sources in the know of the procedures told Vibes of India that in Gujarat licenses are issued in three categories — sports, self-protection to those having threat perception and agriculture sector. The licenses issued in Gujarat are valid only in the state and not nationally. Furthermore, there are high chances of rejection.
The licenses issued in the Northeastern states are valid throughout the country, sources added. Sources further said that necessary approvals for these licenses or weapons were not taken in Gujarat.
S L Chaudhary, deputy superintendent of police, ATS, told a section of the media that the gang charged anything between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh for the package that included not only the license but also arms and ammunition.
Interestingly, none of those arrested have ever been to the northeastern states. Sources said that the licenses were procured by furnishing rent agreements of cities or towns in Manipur and Nagaland. Sources said that some of these people could be retainers. In the scheme of things, if a person is not able to handle the weapon then he can name someone as a retainer who would hold it on his behalf.
In Vishal Patel’s case, the gun license (procured reportedly in 2022) shows House Number 123, Industrial Village, Dimapur, Nagaland as the address. His permanent residence is in Jahangirpura Surat, a city from where minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi also hails.
Imphal and Tamenglong districts of Manipur and Dimapur district of Nagaland have been used by those arrested to get the gun licenses.
Isudan Ghadvi, president of AAP’s Gujarat unit, told Vibes of India that the BJP has turned Gujarat into UP and Bihar. Look at the manner in which crime occurs in Gujarat, he pointed out.
He alleged that it is a nexus between the BJP and the goons. Ghadvi demanded a thorough investigation into the case of fraudulently procured gun licenses and especially into the alleged involvement of the minister’s son. Will action be taken against them like it is initiated against a commonman, he questioned, fearing that what has emerged could be just tip of an iceberg.
Gujarat Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker hit out at the ruling BJP for what he described as deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “National records suggest this,” he said, adding that rapes, murders, thefts are happening in Gujarat now and then. Every other person guilty of a rape or a murder is associated with the BJP in some or other way, he remarked.
“The party has not answered any media query on the issue,” said Yagnesh Dave, Gujarat BJP chief spokesperson, when asked about the alleged involvement of a minister’s son.
The very fact that even the ones associated with the BJP need arms and ammunition tell a sorry tale about the situation. This is the land of Gandhi and Sardar, you need a pen in this state and not swords and other ammunition, Banker said.
Now, an order uploaded on the official website of Tamenglong district states that collector L Angshim Dangshawa on April 11 canceled 33 licences following the information provided by the ATS and a report of a fact-finding committee.
The order states that no documents such as rent agreements for address proof, character and antecedent certificates with the concerned police, among others were found during the inquiry suggesting the licenses were obtained fraudulently.
Many of the accused, who obtained fraudulent licenses and firearms, have criminal background of being involved in cases like attempt to murder, bootlegging, running illegal call centres, anti-social activities (PASA), illegal mining, among others.
Sources said that some of the accused may not be “hardened criminals” but would have bought the license and the guns to flaunt in their social circles. In several parts of Gujarat like in Saurashtra and North Gujarat, flaunting a revolver or pistol slung on the waist is a status symbol.
