Illegal gun sale: Kumbakonam doc among 3 held

The Intelligence Department received an information that there were movement of illegal pistols across the Kumbakonam area and so the police organised a shadow following of the history-sheeters in the region. The police also were following the previous offenders and the criminals on bail.

In such a backdrop, the police suspected one Sakthivel (38) from Vilanthakandam near Kumbakonam and secured him on Thursday night and conducted an inquiry. The interrogation found that Sakthivel was involved in several offences including idol theft cases. The police also found that Sakthivel possessed a pistol and they seized the weapon.

On further questioning, Sakthivel confessed to the police that he purchased the pistol from Dr Ramkumar (42) from Maharajapuram near Thirupananthal. Sakthivel also confessed to the police that he was supporting Dr Ramkumar along with his friend Aravindan (4) from Muttakudi and the duo was selling the weapons that were handed over by Dr Ramkumar.

Subsequently, the Thirupananthal police secured Dr Ramkumar and Aravindan late night on Thursday and conducted a search operation at Dr Ramkumar’s house in which the police secured five air rifles, one revolver, two belt revolvers and as many as 67 bullets.  Later, the police arrested all the three.

The investigation found that Dr Ramkumar who completed his medical studies in Russia was working as a medical officer at a clinic in Cholapuram. The police interrogation found that Dr Ramkumar was interested in shooting and was in the habit of purchasing the weapons illegally and sell them to the notorious persons with higher prices through Sakthivel and Aravindan.  Further investigationsare on.