Bengaluru: According to sources, the number of cases filed under the Arms Act in in Bengaluru has increased by almost 900 per cent in 2021. Last year, 248 cases were booked, compared to 24 in 2020.

City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant has informed that his team is proactively pursuing anti-social elements, goons, rowdy elements, and mischief-makers. “Our goal is to put an end to rowdy elements and their activities. We ensure that their cases are properly charged and that the courts convict them. We receive regular updates on the activities of the City’s rowdy elements, and when necessary, raid them and their allies. This will continue,” he added.

Police searched the residence of over 2,000 rowdies and anti-social elements in various parts of the City in the second week of July 2021, confiscating weapons from them. It was a pre-dawn operation, the outcome of three daylight murders in a row, one of which was Former BJP Corporator Rekha Kadiresh. A total of 409 men were brought into preventive custody, with 48 of them later being charged under the Arms Act.

Under section 25 of the Arms Act, anyone who acquires, possesses, or carries prohibited arms or ammunition shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than five years and up to 10 years. A fine may also be imposed on the person.