In a decisive move against firearm misuse, the Pimpri Chinchwad police have revoked the gun licences of two individuals, including a real estate dealer involved in a negligent misfire and a man who concealed his criminal past. The orders were issued by Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey on Monday, December 2, 2025.
Incident Leading to Licence Revocation
The case against the realtor, identified as Mayur Gulab Sonawane, a resident of Khed in Pune district, stemmed from a careless incident on August 27. According to police reports, Sonawane was preparing for the Ganesh festival at his residence when the revolver he was carrying in his waist fell to the floor. The impact caused the weapon to discharge accidentally, with the bullet striking Sonawane in his own leg.
Following the incident, officials at the Mahalunge MIDC police station registered a case against him. He was booked under Section 125 (b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for committing an act that endangered the life and personal safety of others. This negligent handling of a firearm formed the basis for the subsequent inquiry and licence cancellation.
Criminal Conceals Record to Obtain Licence
The second individual whose licence was scrapped is Pravin Suresh Lukkar, a resident of Chikhali in Pimpri Chinchwad. Police investigations revealed that Lukkar had secured his firearms licence by hiding crucial information about his criminal background.
While his application mentioned only one criminal offence, police records showed he was actually involved in three separate criminal cases registered at the Nigdi police station. Furthermore, he also had an ongoing court case in Pune which he did not disclose. This deliberate concealment of his criminal history violated the terms and conditions for holding a firearm licence.
Wider Crackdown on Irresponsible Firearm Ownership
Commissioner Choubey had ordered detailed inquiries into both cases. The cancellation orders were passed based on the findings, which established gross negligence and intentional misrepresentation.
This action is part of a broader, ongoing drive by the Pimpri Chinchwad police to ensure strict compliance with firearm regulations. Earlier this year, the police commissioner had cancelled the gun licences of four other men: Santosh Dattatraya Pawar, Santosh Pandurang Kadam, Dinesh Babulal Singh, and Ganpat Bajirao Jagtap.
The police have also been rigorously scrutinizing new applications. In just the months of October and November, authorities rejected 41 applications for gun licences because the applicants failed to provide satisfactory reasons for needing a firearm. In total for the year, Commissioner Choubey has rejected applications from 58 individuals seeking gun licences, signalling a zero-tolerance policy towards lax or unjustified firearm ownership.
The police statement emphasized that public safety is paramount and that licences are a privilege granted under strict conditions, which include responsible handling and complete transparency about one's background.
