Delhi Police invoke UAPA against arms dealer Shahbaz Ansari
The Delhi Police Crime Branch recently invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in New Delhi against the notorious arms dealer Shahbaz Ansari. Ansari, who is accused of supplying the weapons used in the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, fled the country after obtaining bail and is currently believed to be hiding in Bangladesh.
According to police officials, investigators suspect that Ansari is now actively working with ISI-backed entities. In response to his escape, a lookout circular (LOC) has been officially issued against him. Delhi Police officials confirmed that steps are also underway to seek an Interpol Red Notice to secure his arrest and eventual extradition.
The decision to invoke the UAPA was made after the Delhi Police Crime Branch recently arrested 10 of Ansari’s key operatives. During the operation, police seized a massive cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition that Ansari had allegedly supplied to active criminal gangs operating in Delhi.
The seized arsenal featured highly advanced international weaponry. The haul included a Czech-made submachine gun, PX-5.7 and PX3 pistols, Brazilian Taurus, German Walther, Turkish Stoeger, Chinese Star, and Italian Beretta weapons.
According to investigators, the nature of the seized weapons uncovered a highly sophisticated cross-border logistics chain. This network linked Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh directly to the criminal underworld in Delhi.
The police investigation traced the roots of Ansari’s illegal arms network to Khurja in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. There, Ansari's late father, Qurban, had originally built the arms manufacturing and supply racket. Qurban operated the illegal enterprise under the cover of a legitimate electrical switch factory.
Following Qurban's death during the Covid-19 pandemic, his sons took over the illegal family business. Since taking charge, Ansari expanded the network's reach before his involvement in the Moose Wala case and his subsequent flight from India. Efforts by Delhi Police to track down and extradite Ansari are currently being intensified.
