Jaipur Man Arrested with Illegal Rifle, Tiger Hide, Exposing Arms-Wildlife Nexus
In a significant crackdown, Jaipur police have arrested a 64-year-old man after uncovering an illegal rifle, hundreds of live cartridges, and a tiger hide from his residence in Ramganj. The discovery points to a suspected nexus between arms trafficking and wildlife smuggling, raising alarms over criminal exploitation of regulated businesses.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Karan Sharma identified the accused as Mohammad Zaheeruddin, who allegedly operated a licensed shop, Shikar Gun Store, as a front while dealing in illegal weapons and ammunition. The arrest followed a tip-off from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), leading to a coordinated search operation across multiple locations on Thursday.
Acting on the intelligence, teams led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Aditya Puniya and Station House Officer Subhash Chand Yadav raided Zaheeruddin's house in Mohalla Bisayatiyan. During the search, officers recovered:
- An illegal .22 LR rifle
- 282 live cartridges of various prohibited bores
- An old tiger skin
Suspected Criminal Network and Investigation
Investigators believe the accused used his licensed gun shop in Manak Chowk as a cover to procure and supply illegal arms. This has raised serious concerns over how regulated businesses can be exploited for criminal networks. The presence of a tiger hide has further deepened suspicions of a larger interstate wildlife smuggling racket.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Arms Act, along with multiple provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Officials stated that the accused is being intensively interrogated to trace the supply chain—both of illegal weapons and the protected wildlife article.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Probe
Sources indicated that investigators are now probing possible links to organized syndicates operating beyond Rajasthan. The case highlights the intersection of two serious crimes: arms trafficking and wildlife smuggling, which often fuel each other in illicit markets.
Authorities are working to determine the origins of the tiger hide and the illegal ammunition, as well as any connections to wider criminal networks. This arrest underscores the need for stricter monitoring of licensed businesses to prevent their misuse for illegal activities.
