Mumbai: A Pune resident, Tushar Kale, was taken into custody at Mumbai’s domestic airport on Sunday after police found an unlicensed 7.65 caliber pistol, bearing the mark of being manufactured in the USA, inside his BMW car. The car, which was parked in the multi-level parking area near the domestic terminal, lacked license plates at both the front and rear, raising suspicions among the airport’s security personnel.
The arrest followed a series of events initiated by the discovery of the unregistered firearm in the driver’s armrest cup holder. Upon further investigation, officers confirmed that Kale, a 41-year-old real estate broker, had traveled to Mumbai with a friend for a weekend trip. Their visit included a stop at a nearby five-star hotel, where a valet parked the vehicle around 3 am on Sunday.
The valet was initially detained and questioned about the firearm, but he later led police to the vehicle’s owner, Kale. Closer inspection of the weapon revealed it to be a 7.65 caliber pistol made in the USA, with five live cartridges of 77.65 mm caliber loaded. The weapon was seized by authorities, and Kale was charged under the Arms Act for illegally possessing a firearm.
Kale’s arrest prompted high-ranking IPS officers and crime branch officials to visit the airport police station, concerned about a potential link to the recent shooting incident at Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. However, ongoing investigations revealed Kale’s origins in Pune, not Mumbai, indicating no direct connection to the shooting.
During questioning, Kale admitted to bringing the firearm to Mumbai from Pune, explaining that he intended to impress his friends with the weapon. He claimed to have recently purchased the pistol from a seller in Uttar Pradesh and kept it in the car for display purposes. Kale also mentioned he had just acquired the BMW and was in the process of obtaining license plates with a custom number.
The police found Kale carrying a tourist bag with a few clothes and Rs.38,000 in cash, further adding to the complex narrative surrounding his intentions and activities. His claims and the circumstances surrounding his arrest are currently being investigated further by law enforcement.
