Two friends’ illegal weapon factory uncovered in Bhind:Started on rented land; hired skilled artisans from Uttar Pradesh on ₹50,000 salary to make country-made pistols

Brother, there’s huge scope for illegal arms in Bhind. If we guarantee strength, people will pay double. The material is available, but bringing it from another state is risky. You find the place, I’ll set up the factory here. This was the conversation between two illegal arms traffickers who decided to open an underground weapons manufacturing unit in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. To make this happen, they hired a skilled gunmaker from Uttar Pradesh for Rs 50,000 a month and paid ₹40,000 to two accomplices for arranging a workspace. They priced their locally-made pistols at double the market rate of other illegal weapons, claiming their guns were “more durable and powerful.” Police have so far identified ten individuals linked to the racket, six of whom are behind bars.
See three pictures… How the case unfolded SSP Dr. Asit Yadav said that on October 21, Barohi police station in-charge Atul Bhadauria received a tip-off and arrested a man named Ajay Gaur, resident of Piprauli, from Amlehri Tiraha with four country-made pistols in his bag. During interrogation, Gaur confessed to operating a gun-making factory in Rupawai village along with his associates. Acting on his leads, police raided the site and recovered seven more pistols. Gaur also admitted that he had already sold five pistols, one of which was recovered from an accused named Shiva Gaur, who was subsequently arrested. From UP to MP: How the operation shifted Police investigation revealed that the accused had previously run an illegal gun factory in Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh. They were caught and jailed there about a year ago. After being released, they shifted their operations to Rupabai Ka Pura village under Mau police station limits in Bhind. The weapons were made using gas pipelines, the same pipes used in underground gas supply systems. The barrels of the pistols were fashioned from these pipes. The gang claimed that their pistols could withstand multiple firings without bursting. The “Business plan” and setup In September, Ajay Gaur’s associate Abhi Tomar from Mehgaon met him and discussed the idea of restarting the arms trade. Abhi pointed out that Bhind was an ideal market where people quietly bought weapons at high prices. To minimize risk, Abhi decided to manufacture weapons locally instead of transporting them from UP. He partnered with Umesh Sharma, a resident of Rupabai Ka Pura, who offered a location for Rs 20,000 per month rent. The illegal arms factory began operations on September 19.
Craftsman from UP hired for ₹50,000 Ajay Gaur and Abhi Tomar brought in Rajesh alias Puran Vishwakarma, an experienced arms maker from Mainpuri, on a Rs 50,000 monthly salary. Within just a few days, Rajesh manufactured 22 pistols, some of which were sold for Rs 9,000–Rs 10,000 each. As Diwali approached, Rajesh returned to his village with his salary. Meanwhile, Abhi sold five pistols himself but was later arrested on October 7 after being caught firing an illegal weapon in Lavan village. Factory shifted after arrest Following Abhi’s arrest, Umesh Sharma grew suspicious and moved the remaining machines and weapons from his field to Bunty Sharma’s house in the same village. Bunty, too, had earlier rented out his farmland for Rs 20,000 per month to run the illegal factory. Police later raided Umesh Sharma’s house and seized the entire setup. The hunt for the missing gunsmith The main gunsmith, Rajesh Vishwakarma, is currently absconding. Police are conducting raids in several districts to locate him. The arrested accused so far include Ajay Gaur, Abhi Tomar, Bunty Sharma, Umesh Sharma, and Shiva Gaur, while four others are under surveillance.