The rise of social media platforms being used to facilitate the illegal sale of firearms in India has become a significant issue, particularly with criminal figures like Lawrence Bishnoi being associated with these transactions. Despite Bishnoi's long history of criminal activity, including extortion, drug smuggling, and high-profile murders, he has never been formally charged with selling firearms online. Nevertheless, social media platforms, especially Facebook, Telegram, and YouTube, are flooded with posts and groups claiming to offer illegal guns, including popular firearms like AK-47s and 9mm pistols.
India Today's investigative team, using open-source intelligence (OSINT), discovered numerous Facebook groups, Telegram channels, and YouTube accounts that were promoting the sale of weapons. The posts often feature WhatsApp numbers for direct communication and claim to offer nationwide delivery of guns. These groups frequently used the names of notorious gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi and celebrated figures like Neeraj Bawana to attract potential buyers, blending the appeal of criminal figures with the allure of illegal firearms.
When investigators contacted some of these sellers, they were immediately asked for a small cash payment, often as low as Rs 300, for supposed registration or transportation fees. These sellers would then refuse to meet in person, a tactic commonly associated with online scams. The firearms displayed in these posts often featured images of both foreign-made weapons and those seized in police crackdowns, intended to create the illusion of a vast, varied arsenal.Â
Social media platforms are becoming breeding grounds for such illegal activities, with content often glorifying violence and celebrating notorious gangsters. A notable example is an Instagram account dedicated to the late gangster Davinder Bambiha, whose death in a police encounter has not diminished his popularity. The account continues to promote videos showcasing firearms, further feeding the growing gun culture in India.
On YouTube, channels that predominantly feature gun-related content have garnered millions of views. One such channel, "Shivam Vlogpur", with over 3.8 lakh subscribers, focuses on showcasing firearms alongside cricket bats, a combination that attracts significant viewership. Similarly, "Ashwin Singh Takiar", another popular YouTuber, gained widespread attention for a video titled "I'm buying a shotgun, gun house tour," which amassed millions of views. Takiar himself expressed an interest in promoting "gun culture" in India, despite the platform's strict guidelines prohibiting the sale of firearms.
Despite the growing popularity of firearms content, platforms like YouTube and Facebook have strict rules against the sale of weapons. YouTube's guidelines explicitly forbid content that promotes the sale of firearms or instructs viewers on how to make or modify guns. Similarly, Facebook prohibits the sale or trade of firearms between private individuals. However, these platforms are often exploited by scammers who bypass these rules, continuing to engage in illegal firearm transactions under the guise of legitimate promotions.
The rise of these online firearm markets highlights a broader issue in India: the growing gun culture fueled by illegal activities and the glorification of gangsters. As authorities work to combat these illegal networks, the need for stricter regulation of online platforms and more effective enforcement of existing laws has become even more apparent.
