Nagpur: Two pistols, 14 rounds, four magazines seized from history-sheeter

Amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal weapons in Nagpur city, the crime branch's anti-vehicle theft squad carried out a major operation in the Dharampeth-Sitabuldi area. Police caught an accused already on record with two country-made pistols, 14 live cartridges and four magazines. A red Activa moped and two mobile phones were also seized from him. Police said the total value of the seized items is around Rs 1.30 lakh.

The arrested accused has been identified as Yogesh Yadavlal Siriya (28), a resident of Gavlipura, near Bade Masjid, Sadar, Nagpur. The operation was carried out by the anti-vehicle theft squad under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Deepak Agrawal.

The case began with a tip-off. Police head constable Roshan Tiwari of the anti-vehicle theft squad received information that Yogesh Siriya was carrying a pistol and that bullets were hidden in the boot of his moped, registration number MH-31-FJ-6747. The tip also said the accused was present at the time in front of Anand Xerox Centre in the Dharampeth-Sitabuldi area, and that he had been intimidating and extorting people in the area by showing the pistol. Taking the information seriously, the team quickly laid a trap, cordoned off the area and caught the accused. He was arrested after weapons and cartridges were found on him during the search.

Police are now trying to establish where the accused got the weapons, why he was keeping them, and whether they had been used in any earlier crime. In initial questioning, the accused said he had bought some of the weapons a few days earlier from Ajju Gate, a resident of Gondwana Chowk, Khadan Basti, Sadar. This lead is also being investigated further.

Yogesh Siriya's name is not new to the police. On August 29, 2026, three country-made pistols and rounds were recovered from Akash Rajan Thapa, a resident of Mekosabagh-Lumbini Nagar, Jaripatka, Nagpur, and Yogesh Siriya had emerged as the main accused in that case. He had been absconding since then, so police are treating his re-arrest with weapons in Dharampeth as a major success.

The accused already has earlier criminal cases registered against him. Police are examining his past record and also checking whether he has any links to a network supplying illegal weapons in the city. The investigation into where the seized pistols and cartridges were bought and who brought them to Nagpur is aimed at reaching others who may be part of the network.

The operation was led by Police Inspector Dilip Chandan, in charge of the anti-vehicle theft squad, along with head constables Roshan Tiwari, Nitin Verma, Vilas Kokate, Ajay Shukla, police constables Rahul Kusrame and Abhay Dhone, head constable Kishor Somkuwar, police constable Vivek Kawadkar, and Police Sub-Inspector Vivek Jhingre of the cyber cell along with the cyber team.

The seized items include two country-made pistols, 14 live rounds, four magazines, a red Activa moped and two mobile phones, together valued at around Rs 1.30 lakh. A case has been registered at Sitabuldi police station under relevant sections, and further investigation is on. Police said more arrests are possible in the case based on information obtained during questioning.