In a shocking revelation that has jolted both law enforcement and the gig economy, a Swiggy delivery boy from Haryana has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly running an illegal arms smuggling operation under the cover of food delivery.
The arrest was made on June 6 by a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Ramraj police station during a routine vehicle checking drive near the Jamalpur canal bridge in Muzaffarnagar district.
The accused, identified as Sudhanshu, a resident of Saifpur Firozpur in Meerut, was intercepted while riding a motorcycle. Upon being flagged, he attempted to flee but crashed due to high speed and was apprehended on the spot.
Upon inspection, police found ten illegal country-made pistols, five live cartridges, and a motorcycle in his possession. Sudhanshu, who reportedly worked as a delivery executive for Swiggy in Karnal, Haryana, was allegedly using his job as a smokescreen for arms trafficking.
A Delivery Boy by Day, Smuggler by Night
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjay Kumar Verma, the accused was part of a larger, well-organized arms smuggling racket. Investigations revealed that Sudhanshu was collaborating with at least six other individuals, identified as Harsh alias Champu, Manish, Ajay, Kapil, Gullu, and Kaushendra. The weapons, reportedly purchased for around ₹4,000 each, were distributed through this network across different districts.
“This was a sophisticated network where the accused used the disguise of a legitimate delivery job to avoid suspicion while transporting weapons,” SSP Verma said at a press conference following the arrest. “We have identified several members of this smuggling ring and are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining culprits. A complete dismantling of the network is underway.”
Bigger Implications for Gig Workers and Delivery Platforms
This case raises serious concerns about the misuse of gig economy platforms, especially in a state like Uttar Pradesh where law enforcement is already burdened with complex crime dynamics. Although Swiggy has not released an official statement yet, law enforcement officials said the company is cooperating with the investigation.
Sudhanshu’s dual identity as a food delivery agent and an arms trafficker exposes how criminal elements may exploit the anonymity and flexibility of app-based delivery services to engage in illegal activities.
Law and Order Strategy
Police sources suggest that this is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend where criminal gangs are hiring unsuspecting or desperate individuals employed in legitimate professions to conduct illegal operations. In light of this case, Muzaffarnagar police have initiated background checks in coordination with delivery firms and logistics companies operating in the region.
The arrest is being seen as a significant breakthrough in the crackdown on illegal weapons circulating in western Uttar Pradesh, a region that has historically struggled with gun-related crimes and inter-gang rivalries.
Key Seizures:
- 10 illegal pistols (locally made)
- 5 live rounds
- 1 motorcycle used for transport
Charges Filed:
Sudhanshu has been booked under multiple sections of the Arms Act. Further charges are expected once the remaining members of the racket are arrested.
As the investigation deepens, police say they are looking into whether the smuggling network has ties to larger criminal syndicates operating across state borders. For now, the case serves as a stark reminder of how technology and criminality can intersect in the most unexpected ways.
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