New Delhi, Nov 4 — The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Delhi Police's Shahdara district has arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly selling illegal firecrackers from his residence in Balbir Nagar and recovered 311.97 kg of firecrackers, police said on Wednesday.
The accused has been identified as Harshit Mittal, a resident of Shiv Mandir in Balbir Nagar, Delhi.
According to police, the ANTF/Shahdara received confidential information on November 3 that Mittal was allegedly selling illegal firecrackers from his residence. Following this, a police team conducted raid at the accused's residence and apprehended him. During a search conducted in accordance with the prescribed procedure, police recovered 311.97 kg of illegal firecrackers from the premises.
The recovered firecrackers were seized, and a case was registered under FIR No. 256/26, dated November 3, 2026, at Shahdara police station. The case has been registered under Sections 288 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 9(b) of the Explosives Act.
Police said Mittal was arrested during the investigation and questioned in connection with the alleged illegal sale.
According to the police, the accused had reportedly been working at a restaurant and earning his livelihood on daily wages. He allegedly turned to the illegal sale of firecrackers to overcome financial difficulties and earn quick money.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising 11 police personnel from ANTF/Shahdara.
Earlier, on October 27, Delhi Police busted an alleged illegal firecracker manufacturing unit operating from a residential building in northeast Delhi's Gokalpuri area and apprehended three persons, recovering 880 finished firecrackers, 600 unfinished firecrackers and 34 kg of suspected explosive powder, officials said.
Police apprehended three persons during the operation, identified as Mohit Goswami (29), Arman (24) and Sameer (21), who were allegedly involved in the illegal manufacturing and storage of firecrackers. According to police, the three failed to produce any valid licence or permit authorising such activities.