Panic broke out at a wedding function in Ghatkopar East after police detained a security guard stationed at the main entrance with a double-barrel gun. Investigation revealed that while the guard possessed a valid arms licence issued in Uttar Pradesh, he had not obtained the mandatory local permission to carry or use the weapon in Maharashtra. Pantnagar Police have registered a case against the accused and his associate and initiated a probe.
According to police, constable Shantaram Vilas Kamble, attached to Pantnagar Police Station, was on beat marshal duty on the evening of April 19. At around 6:15 pm, police received information about a large gathering at a wedding function being held at Lavender Bo Banquet Hall in Ghatkopar East. A team was immediately dispatched to inspect the security arrangements.
On reaching the venue, officers spotted a man in a security uniform standing at the entrance with a double-barrel gun. Given the large number of guests present at the function and the presence of a firearm, police promptly questioned him.
During interrogation, the Accused identified himself as Sunil Ramshankar Mishra (51), a resident of Diva in Thane district. He is employed as a security guard at the Fort branch of Bank of Baroda. Mishra produced an arms licence issued by the District Magistrate’s office in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. However, he failed to furnish any valid local authorisation required to carry or use the weapon in Mumbai or Thane.
The Accused told police that he, along with another guard identified as Sunil Pandey, had been deployed at the wedding function by a private security agency. The second guard fled the spot before police arrived.
Police have seized the firearm along with live cartridges from the accused. A case has been registered against both accused under relevant provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, including Section 30. Further investigation is underway, and police are also examining the role of the security agency involved.