Concluding the series on the Capital’s political elite who got guns dirt cheap from the Centre. The Delhi High Court has halted the Government policy of selling seized weapons at nominal rates to MPs and VIPs. Now, they will have to be sold market rates. • Rita Verma, Minister of State, HRD: Webley revolver, sale price Rs 9,000; market price Rs 1.5-2 lakh. Her aide said: ‘‘Ms Verma represents Dhanbad (in Jharkhand) where there is a serious mafia problem and a Maoist Communist Centre presence. Also, her husband was killed 12 years ago.’’ MORE IN THE SERIES • Big guns who got revolvers and pistols dirt cheap The Sunday Express contacted some of the big guns to ask why they need a weapon • 'A revolver is easy to carry, simpler to use' The second in the series of the political heavyweights who got guns at throwaway prices from the Central Government. • Jagdish Tytler, Congress leader: .32 Browning pistol, sale price Rs 19,000. ‘‘I took the weapon because there was a provision available for MPs. But I found it of no use, and returned it within a month itself.’’ • C K Jaffer Sharief, Congress MP: Walther pistol; sale price Rs 9,450. ‘‘I bought the gun for security, for self defence if it comes to that. Security personnel these days are not very well trained, they don’t instill a sense of confidence.’’ • Eduardo Faleiro, Congress MP: Arminius revolver, sale price Rs 7,000; market price Rs 1.25-1.75 lakh: ‘‘A weapon gives me a sense of security and confidence. No one with legal money can afford to buy a weapon in the open market, that’s why I availed of this provision.’’ • Mohan Rawle, Shiv Sena MP: Webley revolver, sale price Rs 8,000; market price Rs 1.25-2 lakh. ‘‘I have bought it for personal security because I felt vulnerable due to the stand I take on various issues.’’ • Ajay Singh Chautala, INLD MP: Star pistol, sale price Rs 15,650. ‘‘I took the weapon when my Sirsa constituency was facing disturbance and my security was withdrawn by the state government.’’ • R L Bhatia, Congress MP: .32 ERMA revolver; sale price Rs 16,000. ‘‘I have been shot thrice, a bomb was planted under my car, one of my children was kidnapped. I needed a gun.’’ • Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Lok Bhalai Party MP; .32 RS revolver, sale price Rs 16,000. ‘‘Seven of my relatives were killed during the phase of militancy in Punjab. There were three direct attacks on my family, when I was in the Akali Dal. I badly need a weapon.’’ • Lal Muni Chaubey, BJP MP: ERMA revolver, sale price Rs 7,000. ‘‘I am from a constituency in Bihar that is infested with Naxalites. I don’t have any security. If you visited the place, you would know why I need the gun.’’ • Prakash Patil, Congress MP: .32 Arminius revolver, sale price Rs 16,000; market price Rs 1.25-1.75 lakh. ‘‘I have been given security but it is not round the clock. We feel especially vulnerable at home. We bought the weapons because they were available at affordable prices; it would have been impossible to buy them in the open market. • Sajjan Kumar, Congress leader: Webley revolver, sale price Rs 9,000; market price Rs 1.5-2 lakh. Not available for comment. • Lal Behari Tewari, BJP MP: Arminius revolver; sale price Rs 38,225; market price Rs 1.25-Rs 1.75 lakh. Not available for comment. • Balram Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party MP: .32 Smith and Wesson revolver, sale price Rs 16,000; market price Rs 1.5-Rs 2.5 lakh. Not available for comment.
