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RAIPUR: In a chilling case that has raised serious questions over unchecked e-commerce deliveries, Chhattisgarh Police have registered an FIR against e-commerce giant Flipkart after a knife allegedly ordered through the platform was used in a violent theft attempt leading to murder at a petrol pump in Raipur.
The incident occurred in the early hours of July 17, around 3 AM, at Umariya village under Mandir Hasaud police station limits.
Chhattisgarh Police have booked six persons linked to e-commerce platform Flipkart and its delivery partner Elastic Run Courier for allegedly facilitating the online sale and delivery of a deadly weapon used in the crime. The case has triggered sharp concern over the online availability of potentially lethal items.Additional SP Vivek Shukla told TOI, “Two youths, Sameer Tandon (21) and Kunal Tiwari (24), were arrested within hours of the incident in which a petrol pump employee, Yogesh Miri (26), was stabbed to death and another, Anil Gaikwad (22), was injured during a robbery attempt around 3 AM on July 17. Police said the murder weapon—a sharp-edged knife—was ordered online via Flipkart and delivered by Elastic Run Courier.
The accused had even placed orders for two more knives, which were en route at the time of their arrest.”During the course of investigation, police examined the mobile phone of accused Kunal Tiwari and confirmed that the knives were ordered from Flipkart using his registered mobile number. Both accused confessed to using the knife delivered online for the violent robbery, which escalated into murder, he said.What makes the case graver is that Raipur Police had earlier issued written instructions to e-commerce companies including Flipkart and Amazon, warning them against delivering dangerous weapons like knives.
Despite these directives, the companies continued to allow such deliveries, prompting police to now initiate criminal proceedings under BNS Section 125(B), 3(5) and relevant Arms Act provisions.Taking serious note of the violation, police have arrested six individuals linked to Flipkart and Elastic Run Courier. These include managers, delivery handlers, and logistical coordinators who allegedly ignored the warnings and facilitated the delivery of the knife.Raipur SSP Lal Umed Singh ordered swift action, directing multiple units including the Anti-Crime & Cyber Unit and Mandir Hasaud Police to investigate all individuals involved in the delivery chain. Additional SP Vivek Shukla, who is leading the probe, said the arrests followed detailed electronic and forensic analysis and would continue as the investigation progresses.Police said further arrests may be made as they probe deeper into the operational roles of other company officials responsible for violating standing orders regarding weapon sales.