Faridabad: In a major security breach, 32 licensed firearms kept in police custody were allegedly stolen from the malkhana of the Sector-8 police station in Haryana’s Faridabad. Following a preliminary investigation, police registered a theft case against malkhana in-charge Assistant Sub-Inspector Bijendra Singh, who has also been suspended pending further inquiry.
Weapons Missing From Malkhana
According to officials, the missing firearms had been deposited by local residents at the police station for safekeeping. The disappearance of such a large number of licensed weapons has raised serious concerns over the security of police armouries and the handling of weapons kept in official custody.
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Police sources said the missing cache includes several expensive foreign-made pistols and other licensed firearms, with individual weapons estimated to be worth between ₹2 lakh and ₹10 lakh.
Audit Revealed Bigger Shortage
The alleged theft came to light during a routine inspection of the police station’s malkhana. An initial audit found that 13 weapons were unaccounted for. However, a detailed verification later revealed that the actual number of missing firearms had risen to 32.
Senior police officers then ordered a comprehensive inquiry, which confirmed the disappearance of all 32 licensed weapons. Based on the findings, a criminal case was registered against ASI Bijendra Singh, who was responsible for the custody and maintenance of the armoury.
ASI Suspended, Probe Ordered
Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta ordered the immediate suspension of the officer and initiated a departmental inquiry. Investigators are examining possible lapses in record-keeping, security protocols and supervision within the police station.
Police sources said investigators are also looking into suspicions that some of the firearms may have been sold in parts of Rajasthan and Delhi-NCR, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Recovery Now Main Challenge
The primary focus of the investigation is now on tracing and recovering the missing firearms before they can be misused in criminal activities. Security agencies are expected to examine records, surveillance footage and communication details as part of the probe.
Commenting on the case, Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta said, “The matter is under investigation. Whoever played a role in the theft of the weapons will not be spared.”
Authorities have not yet released details on how the firearms disappeared or whether any arrests have been made. The investigation is continuing, with police examining negligence, criminal conspiracy and possible illegal trafficking angles.
