Pune Criminal Secured Firearm Licence Through Identity Manipulation
In a startling revelation from Pune, a known criminal managed to obtain a legitimate firearm licence from the city police by altering his personal details. Rahul Taru, a resident of Sahakarnagar with a criminal record, successfully acquired the licence in 2022 after tweaking his name and providing a false address. This case has raised serious questions about the verification processes within the police department.
Arrest Following Public Shooting Incident in Lonavla
The fraudulent licence came to light after Taru was arrested by Lonavla police on Friday evening. The arrest followed an incident near the Lonavla ST bus stand on Wednesday around 9 pm, where Taru allegedly opened fire in the air during an argument with his girlfriend. According to police reports, he fired two rounds from a pistol after slapping her, creating a public safety hazard.
Police Investigation Uncovers Licence Fraud
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill provided detailed information about the case. Taru, who has six body offences registered against him, initially claimed to possess a valid firearm licence during interrogation. However, further investigation revealed that he had manipulated his identity to secure the document. He changed his name slightly and provided an address in Lonikand instead of his actual residence in Sahakarnagar, Pune. Police have seized both the pistol and the fraudulent licence as evidence.
Criminal Background and Multiple Properties
The investigation uncovered that Taru maintains multiple properties despite his criminal background. While officially residing in Sahakarnagar, Pune, he also owns a farmhouse in Mulshi. This dual property ownership may have facilitated his attempts to conceal his true identity when applying for the firearm licence.
Police Response and Future Actions
SP Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that authorities will be taking formal action regarding the licence fraud. "We will soon write to the Pune city police about this matter," Gill stated, indicating that internal procedures will be reviewed. The arrest was made possible after police traced the car's registration number that Taru and his girlfriend used to reach Lonavla.
Broader Implications for Firearm Regulation
This incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in firearm licensing systems and raises concerns about:
- Verification processes for licence applicants
- Coordination between different police jurisdictions
- The need for more stringent background checks
- Preventing criminals from exploiting administrative loopholes
The case continues to develop as authorities investigate how a person with multiple criminal offences could obtain official permission to carry a firearm through deceptive means.
