Pune Police to Re-Investigate All Past Illegal Firearm Cases After Linking MP’s Umarati Guns to City Gangs
Pune, 25th November 2025: After uncovering a supply chain of illegal country-made pistols from Madhya Pradesh to Pune’s criminal networks, the Pune Police have announced that all previously arrested offenders booked for illegal firearm possession will now be re-examined. The development was confirmed on Monday by DCP (Zone IV) Somay Munde.
Umarati Gunsmiths Admitted Supplying Weapons to Pune Criminals
DCP Munde stated that the artisans detained from Umarati village in Badwani district, Madhya Pradesh, are currently undergoing intensive interrogation.
“The arrested individuals have admitted to manufacturing and selling pistols to hardened criminals in Pune through middlemen. Firearms made in Umarati were used in the murders of Sharad Mohol and Vanraj Andekar. Several other major crimes also involve weapons produced in this village. Therefore, we will now re-question all offenders earlier booked for illegal possession of country-made weapons,” DCP Munde said.
A Hidden Network Operated Across State Borders
Investigators revealed that Umarati’s illegal gunsmiths used social media messaging tools to communicate with buyers and ensure that no police surveillance was active before finalising deals.
Pune Police teams recently raided the village, located near the Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh border. The operation resulted in the seizure of pistols, weapon components, magazines, and manufacturing equipment.
Seven individuals arrested include:
Sunibhai Chawla (37)
Jasbirsingh Prakashsingh Chawla (22)
Praveensingh Uttamsingh Tukarana (22)
Rajpalsingh Pradhansingh Junega (36)
Aloksingh Joharsingh Barnala (27)
Nanaksingh Ajitsingh Barnala (32)
Gurucharansingh Barnala (23)
All are residents of Umarati, Badwani district.
According to Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, these artisans may have sold 700–800 pistols over the past six to seven years.
Due to past violent resistance from local residents during enforcement activity, Pune Police carried out the raid with enhanced security measures.
A 100-member police unit, supported by drone cameras, gas guns, wireless systems, and the Quick Response Team (QRT), initiated the operation at dawn on Saturday.
In a separate but connected case, police arrested gangster Shwetang Bhaskar Nikalje (37) and his associate Om Sanjay Gaikwad (26) for abducting and threatening a youth at gunpoint over a dispute linked to a mobile tower contract.
Two country-made pistols were seized from Nikalje — allegedly purchased from Umarati.
According to the complaint, the kidnapped youth—who runs a small food stall—had a financial dispute with Nikalje. On 8 November, Nikalje and his aides allegedly abducted the victim from near his residence, took him to the Bhor area, threatened him with a firearm, and attempted to extort money. The youth later escaped and lodged a complaint at Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station.
Police laid a trap and arrested both accused. The charges include:
Illegal possession of firearms
Extortion
Kidnapping
Criminal intimidation
The investigation team comprised Senior Inspector Rahul Khilare, PSI Nilesh Mokashi, and officers Mahesh Baravkar, Mangesh Pawar, Sachin Sarpale, Mangesh Gaikwad, Kiran Sable, Mitesh Chormal, Abhinay Chaudhary, Sagar Borge, Nilesh Khairmode, Tukaram Sutar, and Sandeep Aghale, under the guidance of DCP Milind Mohite and ACP Rahul Aware.
