Guwahati Police arrest man in armed extortion case, seize cache of firearms

Accused allegedly threatened businessman at gunpoint, forced ₹3 lakh transfer; police recover four firearms, over 360 live rounds and other incriminating materials during raid.

AT News · 20:18, 4 Jul 2026 | Updated 20:23, 4 Jul 2026 · 49 views · 2 min read

Guwahati Police arrest man in armed extortion case, seize cache of firearms — Central Police Commissioner Sambhabi Mishra addresses a press conference after the arrest of Abhimanyu Das in an alleged armed extortion case. Police said they recovered a pistol, three rifles, three magazines, 360 rounds of live ammunition, 80 empty cartridges, three mobile phones and a luxury vehicle during a raid at his residence in Bonda Chapaidang, Guwahati, on Friday. Photo: UB Photos

GUWAHATI, July 4, 2026 — A man was arrested in Guwahati on Friday in connection with an alleged armed extortion case, with police recovering a large cache of firearms, ammunition and other incriminating materials from his residence.

The accused, identified as Avik Das alias Abhimanyu Das (39), was arrested by the Central Police District of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate following an investigation into an alleged case of extortion, criminal intimidation and assault.

According to police, the case was registered after a complaint was filed by businessman Bishan Sonowal, who alleged that the accused threatened him at gunpoint, physically assaulted him and forced him to transfer ₹3 lakh online.

Investigators said the complainant and the accused were previously business associates. Police alleged that after disputes over financial losses in a joint venture, the complainant joined the accused's business process outsourcing (BPO) firm for a brief period before being subjected to repeated threats.

Police said that on June 28, the accused allegedly summoned the complainant to his residence at Chapaidong in the Bonda area, demanded ₹5.5 lakh, fired a warning shot near his feet, assaulted him and compelled him to sign documents. The complainant was also allegedly forced to transfer ₹3 lakh immediately, while his vehicle was retained as security for the remaining amount. Police further alleged that the victim's fiancée was threatened over the phone.

Following the registration of an FIR at Pragjyotishpur Police Station, a police team conducted a raid at the accused's residence and recovered four firearms, including a pistol, a bolt-action rifle, a double-barrel rifle and an air rifle.

Police also seized more than 360 rounds of live ammunition, around 80 empty cartridges, three mobile phones, the complainant's vehicle and an arms licence reportedly issued in Nagaland. An empty cartridge recovered from the premises is believed to support the allegation that a firearm was discharged during the incident.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapons and whether they were used in any other criminal activities.