Delhi police nab wrestler-turned-arms dealer in Baghpat after 8 years

New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested Sonu Langada, a 32-year-old national-level wrestler-turned-arms dealer, who had been on the run for nearly eight years.

Langada, also known as Pahalwan, allegedly shifted to supplying illegal arms to criminals after losing a leg in a road accident. He was captured on May 29 from his native village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, after being declared a proclaimed offender in an arms supply case on June 29, 2017.

Officials confirmed he has a long history of criminal activities, including involvement in at least six serious cases across Uttar Pradesh, covering murder, rape, kidnapping, and dacoity, as well as offences under the SC/ST Act, Arms Act, and excise laws.

Despite his criminal activities, Sonu Langada continued living with his family in the village, engaging in farming.

He was arrested on April 6, 2016, in connection with the murder of a cable operator. At the time, the Crime Branch received intelligence that two suspects—Rahul, alias Sunny, and Vikas, alias Vicky—were planning a retaliatory attack in Rohini, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Apoorva Gupta stated.

Both suspects were apprehended with a pistol, a country-made firearm, and 10 bullets in their possession. Under interrogation, they identified Sonu Langada as their arms supplier, leading to his implication in the case.

Sonu Langada managed to dodge police despite several raids for eight years, till he was traced to his village, the DCP said.

During interrogation, he said that he had been a promising national-level wrestler until his leg was amputated after a road accident in 2013. Struggling to make ends meet, he took to crime to support his family, the officer said.

"He aligned with local gangs and became an active player in the illicit arms trade, also supplying liquor to various criminal networks," she added.

(inputs from IANS)