ED–NIA conduct joint late-night raids on prominent arms supplier in Auraiya

A joint team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out late-night raids on several premises linked to a well-known local arms supplier and jeweller family in Auraiya. The investigation continued through Thursday morning.

The operation began around 1:30 am on Thursday. Arriving with nearly 20 police vehicles and more than eight official cars, the teams conducted searches at multiple locations, including Nizhai Mohalla, a site near the district hospital on the Nyara petrol pump road, four residential properties, and establishments in the Sarafa market—particularly a gun house and several shops.

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According to sources, the raids are connected to a case from about six months ago in which over 3,000 cartridges were recovered in Chhattisgarh, allegedly linked to Auraiya resident Lala Sharma. Additionally, the case has revived memories of the infamous 1995 Purulia arms drop incident, in which businessman Mahesh Verma, father of the Verma brothers, had come under suspicion. Mahesh Verma reportedly died by suicide, consuming cyanide, during questioning before the then-SP Sanjay Singhal.

The Verma family, well-known in the jewellery and arms trade, includes brothers Kamal Verma, Ravikant “Lale” Verma—district president of the Kanchhal faction of the Vyapar Mandal and a state-level leader—and Ajaykant Shashi Verma. Their father, Mahesh Verma, had started with a small jewellery shop and a gun house in the Sarafa market, later expanding into transport operations on the Auraiya–Kannauj–Etawah route. Over time, the family became known for their growing business influence across states.

The Purulia arms drop case involved the dropping of hundreds of AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition, alleged at the time to be intended for supporting a possible armed uprising by Anand Marg followers. Security agencies had investigated Mahesh Verma in connection with suspected arms trafficking.

Following the seizure of ammunition in Chhattisgarh, investigators have reportedly revisited old leads connected to the Purulia case.

As of Thursday morning, ED and NIA teams were still conducting searches and collecting documents. District police and external forces provided security during the operations. Officials have confirmed that no major recovery has been made so far, and the businessmen were not present at home during the raids. Their children were questioned for information.

SP Abhishek Verma stated that the investigation is being conducted by external agencies and remains confidential.