The theft of 32 licensed guns from the storehouse of Faridabad’s Sector 8 police station has prompted the Haryana State Human Rights Commission to order a review of security arrangements at police station storehouses across the state.
The commission took cognisance of the incident after a complaint submitted on July 16 by a lawyer from Panchkula. In an order issued on November 2, commission member Deep Bhatia directed Haryana’s director general of police to review the security of firearms and access controls at police station storehouses.
The weapons had been deposited with the police by their licensed owners, who were required to hand them over for safe custody. Such deposits are commonly made during elections and other situations when authorities require licensed firearms to be surrendered temporarily. The incident has raised concerns about whether weapons deposited with the police are being securely stored and properly accounted for.
According to a report submitted by the Faridabad deputy commissioner of police, a person working as a trainee at the Sector 8 police station was suspected of involvement in the theft. The person assisted with preparing the station’s daily diary and also handled work related to the storehouse, giving them familiarity with its records and contents.
The report said that the suspect and 28 other people were arrested after investigators collected evidence in the case. All the missing guns were subsequently recovered from the accused, according to the report. A charge sheet was filed in court on August 6.
The commission’s intervention focuses on the wider security system rather than only the recovery of the firearms. Its direction requires the state police chief to examine how storehouses are secured, who can access them and whether existing records and controls are adequate across police stations in Haryana.
The complaint before the commission reportedly highlighted the potential legal consequences for the licensed owners if the stolen firearms were used in criminal activity. The owners had complied with the law by depositing their weapons with the police for safekeeping, but a failure in police custody could still expose them to legal complications, the complaint stated.
The commission said the incident represented a serious concern involving the safety of licensed weapons belonging to members of the public. The statewide review ordered by the commission is the next official step identified in the report.
