Delhi Police  has unearthed a racket involving smuggling of arms and ammunition into the city. The racketeers had allegedly supplied guns and bullets to several gangs and individuals in UP during the recent elections. They were clinching deals for selling arms ahead of the Delhi municipal elections, police said.

The leader of the gang, Deepak Kumar, 24, is a BBA graduate from a Meerut university and was studying for an MBA degree. Sources said Deepak drew inspiration from the political career of Raja Bhaiya, a Bahubali Samajwadi Party leader who was recently appointed as a minister by Akhilesh Yadav. Police have recovered 21 country-made pistols and 25 live cartridges that the accused planned to sell in Delhi. The vehicle used for smuggling the arms has been impounded.

Deepak was arrested by a team led by inspector Rajkumar of the Moti Nagar police station. The other four accused are Mohammad Sadiq (22), Mukesh Kumar (25), Ravi Kumar (23) and Vipin (22). They were intercepted in the Tilak Nagar area.

"We were tipped off about illegal liquor and weapons being smuggled into Delhi by a gang. Keeping in mind the MCD elections scheduled for April 15, a search was carried out," said additional commissioner of police (west) V Renganathan. Officials said they had procured one country-made pistol for Rs 2,500 to 3,000 and planned to sell it for up to Rs 5,000.

Deepak told the cops that he belongs to Muzaffarnagar and is from a middle-class family. He said he was always a bright student . "His father works in a sugar factory of Muzaffarnagar. Deepak completed a BBA degree in 2011. Deepak had come with his associates to supply illegal weapons and cartridges in the city," said a source. Officials said Deepak planned to supply arms to Kishan Pehelwan's gang who had contacted him for a huge consignment, he said.