Nagpur: Crime Branch Unit No. 3 of the Nagpur City Police arrested a 22-year-old man for illegally possessing a firearm during a patrolling operation in the Wadi police station limits. The action was taken on January 5, 2026, at around 4.40 pm, following a specific tip-off received by the crime branch team.

Acting on the information, police conducted a raid in Dhobi Nagar, Wadhamna, Wadi, in the presence of panch witnesses. During the operation, the accused identified himself as Shivam alias Bittu Karansingh Bhalavi (22), a resident of Plot No. 57, Dhobi Nagar, Wadhamna, Wadi, Nagpur. A search of his house led to the recovery of a lethal black pistol along with a magazine and one live cartridge, concealed inside a blue box. Police also seized a mobile phone from his possession.

The total value of the seized property, including the firearm, ammunition and mobile phone, is estimated at Rs 63,000. As the accused was found carrying the firearm with the intention of committing a cognisable offence and had violated prohibitory orders, a case was registered against him at Wadi Police Station under Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, along with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. The accused was arrested and handed over to Wadi police along with the seized material for further legal action.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravindrakumar Singhal, Additional Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner (Detection) Rahul Maknikar, and Assistant Commissioner (Crime Branch) Abhijeet Patil.

The team comprised Police Inspector Mahesh Sagale, PSI Amit Deshmukh, Head Constables Ajay Patil and Dinesh Daware, and Constables Vivek Bhoyar and Vishal Rokde. Further investigation is underway.