Delhi Police Seize 311.97 Kg Of Illegal Firecrackers, Arrest 26-Year-Old Man In Shahdara

New Delhi: Delhi Police has once again taken strict action against the illegal firecracker trade in the national capital. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Shahdara District Police conducted a raid based on a secret tip-off and arrested a young man who had allegedly turned his residence into a storage and sales centre for illegal firecrackers. Police recovered a total of 311.97 kilograms of illegal firecrackers from his possession. The arrested accused has been identified as Harshit Mittal (26), a resident of Shiv Mandir, Balbir Nagar, Delhi.

Secret Information Leads to Police Raid

Shahdara District DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena stated that the Shahdara ANTF team had received secret information that Harshit Mittal was allegedly selling firecrackers illegally from his residence. The information also suggested that the accused could be apprehended with a large stock of firecrackers during a raid. Considering the seriousness of the information, it was immediately brought to the attention of Inspector Arjun Singh, in-charge of ANTF Shahdara. He subsequently informed Assistant Commissioner of Police A.K. Singh, and a strategy was formulated to carry out the operation.

311.97 Kg of Illegal Firecrackers Seized During Raid

After thoroughly verifying the information, police immediately formed a special raiding team. Under the leadership of Inspector Arjun Singh, the team conducted a raid at the accused's residence in Balbir Nagar. During a search conducted in accordance with legal procedures, a large stock of illegal firecrackers was found inside the house. The team seized 311.97 kilograms of firecrackers and arrested Harshit Mittal on the spot. In connection with the incident, FIR No. 256/26 was registered at Shahdara Police Station on November 3, 2026, under Sections 288/125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 9(B) of the Explosives Act. Police are interrogating the accused to investigate the procurement and sale of illegal firecrackers and other aspects of the alleged business.

Accused Allegedly Turned to Illegal Trade Due to Financial Difficulties

According to police, Harshit Mittal is a resident of Balbir Nagar and previously worked at a restaurant. He reportedly earned his livelihood through daily-wage work. Police claim that due to financial difficulties and the temptation to earn quick money, he allegedly began selling illegal firecrackers. Investigators are now trying to determine where the accused procured the firecrackers from and to whom he intended to sell them.

Special Police Team Plays Key Role in Operation

The special team involved in the operation included Sub-Inspector Shokinder; Head Constables Pankaj, Yogesh, Vikas, Vijay, Rajesh and Sudesh; Woman Head Constable Satyawati; Constables Arjun Singh and Shahid; and Woman Constable Shivani.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of Inspector Arjun Singh, ANTF Shahdara in-charge, with the guidance of Assistant Commissioner of Police A.K. Singh and the overall supervision of the Shahdara District Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The DCP has made it clear that the campaign against those involved in the illegal storage and sale of firecrackers will continue. During the festive season, police are keeping a close watch on individuals who endanger public safety.