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3 men held in Hapur for carrying hydrofluoric acid, sulphur without authorisation; cops says no link to Delhi blast

The men were arrested from two separate locations on Tuesday and Wednesday

4 min readNoidaUpdated: Nov 12, 2025 03:53 PM IST

The SHO said Shoaib was carrying 38 litres of the illegal acid without permission.

Three persons were arrested from two separate locations in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district for allegedly carrying chemical substances without authorisation, said police on Wednesday. Police also clarified that prima facie, there is no connection with the Delhi blast.

According to police, the three accused have been identified as Shoaib, a resident of Kanth in Moradabad, and Shobhit Kumar and Vijendra Singh, residents of Sitapur.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vineet Bhatnagar said a police team intercepted a man, standing near the Hinalapur Bamba culvert in the Pilkhuwa area, during routine checking on Tuesday evening. The man, later identified as Shoaib, was carrying a large plastic can.

On questioning, police said he told the team that the container held 38 litres of hydrofluoric acid, which he had purchased from an unidentified person an hour earlier without any documents or permit. “His replies were inconsistent, and he was taken into custody for detailed questioning,” the ASP said.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Station House Officer, Pilkhuwa, Patnaish Kumar, said Shoaib has been arrested. “He has a glass workshop in Hapur and has told us he was bringing it from Delhi for his shop,” he said.

The SHO said Shoaib was carrying 38 litres of the illegal acid without permission. “Prima facie, there is no connection with the Delhi blast,” he added.

The Hapur Police registered an FIR against Shoaib under relevant sections of the Poison Act of 1919 on a complaint by sub-inspector, Mahanth Raj Yadav, at Pilkhuwa Police station on Tuesday.

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An official said hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive industrial acid used mainly for etching, cleaning and fluorination but it is not a common component of explosives. However, it is “extremely hazardous”, its sale is tightly regulated in many places and any suspicious purchase or use should be reported to authorities, the official said.

In a separate incident on Wednesday morning, police said a team checking vehicles at Paratappur crossing in the same area arrested Shobhit and Vijendra with 2.5 kg of Sulphur.

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SHO Kumar said both men were farmers and had been working in an agricultural farm in Haryana. “They said they had found the substance in the field and brought it with them to Hapur to drive away monkeys,” said the SHO.

An FIR was registered under Section 288 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) of the BNS and sections of Poison Act against the duo.

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ASP Bhatnagar said all three accused are being questioned, and further investigation is underway to verify their claims and the source of the substances. Their arrests came during checking by the police, which has stepped up security as a precautionary measure following Monday’s blast near Red Fort in Delhi

District Magistrate, Hapur, Abhishek Pandey, told The Indian Express that there had been a standing order to watch out for explosives in the district. “We have just increased surveillance. We are on high alert and also keeping a check on suspicious entry and exit points in the district, including at hotels and rest houses,” he said.

The DM also said they are ensuring there is no inconvenience caused to the general public.

Neetika Jha

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

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