Katagali arms bust triggers panic as cops widen net to trace illegal gun buyers

Belagavi: The arrest of Maruti Sutar, an alleged manufacturer of country-made pistols and guns from Katagali village in Khanapur taluk, has sent shockwaves across the region and reportedly triggered panic among those who may have acquired illegal firearms from him.

A few days ago, Khanapur police arrested 13 persons in connection with the case and seized nine country-made weapons during the operation. Investigators believe the case could have wider ramifications as efforts intensify to identify buyers and trace the distribution network behind the illegal firearms.

According to police, Sutar began manufacturing country-made weapons in 2024. However, reliable sources claim that he had previously come to the attention of local police and was allegedly detained and questioned on two occasions before being released after inquiry. Two cases were reportedly registered against him, one at Nandagad police station and another in Khanapur.

Investigators suspect that some individuals purchased pistols for self-defence, while others may have acquired single- and double-barrel firearms for illegal hunting activities in the forested areas of Khanapur taluk. Katagali village lies on the fringes of a dense forest belt, where incidents of poaching have occasionally been reported.

Sources familiar with the investigation said Sutar allegedly crafted the wooden stocks of the firearms himself, while certain metal components were sourced from outside the district. He is believed to have learned the craft from his father.

The case gathered momentum after Sutar was arrested in connection with a murder investigation in which a country-made pistol was allegedly used. During interrogation, police claim he admitted to manufacturing and selling illegal firearms, leading investigators to uncover a larger network.

The key questions now facing investigators are how many weapons were manufactured and sold, who purchased them, and whether they were supplied only within Belagavi and Karwar districts or to buyers elsewhere.

With police actively tracing purchasers and examining possible criminal links, the Katagali arms case has taken a serious turn, leaving many suspected buyers reportedly anxious over the expanding probe.