In a significant breakthrough, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of Gujarat police arrested two young men and seized illegal firearms valued at over Rs 3 lakh from an office near Nana Kopaya village in Mundra taluka of Kutch. The operation, based on a social media tip-off, has exposed an alleged gun-running racket that extends to Rajasthan.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ramesh Gadhvi, 21, a resident of Mundra, and Kishan Koli, 26, from Barmer in Rajasthan. The police recovered two country-made pistols, 14 cartridges, two empty magazines, and three mobile phones from the office located along the highway near Nana Kopaya. An FIR has been registered at the State Monitoring Cell police station in Gandhinagar against Gadhvi, Koli, and one Dhanrajram Chaudhary, also a resident of Barmer.
Details of the Operation
Police Inspector S M Jadeja of the SMC stated that the action was taken following specific intelligence gathered during routine patrolling. “We received information that Kishan Koli had posted a photograph with a weapon on Instagram. On discreet verification, we learned that Ramesh Gadhvi was at an office near Nana Kopaya village with that weapon,” he said. The team immediately proceeded to the spot and detained Gadhvi. A thorough search of the office led to the recovery of the firearms and ammunition.
Accused Statements
During interrogation, Gadhvi revealed that he had known Koli for a decade and had met Chaudhary at Koli’s ice cream shop. “As our acquaintance grew, I asked him to bring me a pistol,” he said. He added that Koli needed money, and the two discussed selling pistols. Gadhvi claimed that the firearms were purchased from Chaudhary about two-and-a-half years ago for Rs 50,000. “I am fond of pistols, but I did not use them anywhere,” Gadhvi said, explaining that he kept them in a drawer at his office while he was away in Thailand.
Koli, on the other hand, told investigators that Gadhvi was a regular at his ice cream shop about 10 years ago, where they became acquainted. “As I needed money, Gadhvi told me he had a contact, Dhanrajram Chaudhary, who was in the business of selling pistols,” he said. Koli admitted that about one-and-a-half years ago, he took a pistol from Gadhvi to take photographs, which he later posted on Instagram. The images went viral, leading to the police action.
Ongoing Investigation
Police inquiries have revealed that Koli works for a private firm, while Gadhvi is a student. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the illegal arms and possible links to a larger network. The SMC is also probing whether the accused had supplied weapons to others in the region. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the ease with which illegal firearms can be procured and circulated.
