Former wrestler arrested after eight year manhunt for supplying firearms to criminals
New Delhi: After an eight-year manhunt, the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested a former national-level wrestler accused of supplying firearms to criminals. The accused, identified as Sonu, is a resident of Kirthal village in Baghpat.
He was apprehended from his hometown.
According to police, on April 6, 2016, they received intelligence that two suspects, Rahul alias Sunny and Vikash alias Vicky, who were believed to be involved in the murder of cable operator Devindra Rathi, were planning a retaliatory attack on Rathi's brother in Sector-36, Rohini. Both suspects were arrested at the scene. During the operation, police recovered a cache of illegal weapons, including a pistol, a country-made firearm, and 10 live cartridges.
During interrogation, the duo revealed that the arms were supplied by Sonu. Despite multiple efforts to apprehend him over the years, Sonu managed to evade arrest—until now.
He was finally arrested on May 29.
Police reported that Sonu was once a promising national-level wrestler, but his athletic career ended abruptly in 2013 after a severe road accident resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Struggling with financial hardship and personal loss, he turned to crime in a desperate attempt to support his family.
He and his accomplices have since been linked to several serious offences, including dacoity and murder.
Investigations also revealed his active involvement in the illegal arms trade, as well as the distribution of illicit liquor to various criminal groups. Sonu is wanted in six criminal cases involving murder, dacoity, attempted murder, kidnapping leading to murder, rape, and violations under the SC/ST Act, Arms Act, and the UP Excise Act.
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