This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On November 15, 2019, the Milimani Magistrates Court continued its pursuit of suspected criminal Dhiren Samji Patel, a 27-year-old Indian businessman.
Patel is being charged with possession of a firearm contrary to Section 4 (1) as read with Section 4(2)(a) of the Firearms Act.
According to the charges, Patel was found in possession of a Smith and Wesson pistol (serial No. HDS5632) designed to chamber and fire caliber.9 mm ammunition on July 20, 2018, at Balle Balle club in Parklands.
At the time, Patel did not have a valid firearms certificate, and he was also found in possession of 8 live ammunition.9 mm and 42 live ammunition.9 mm, which were discovered on August 1, 2018, after a further search by the Investigating officer in Patel's house located at Kisumu Villas in Kisumu.
The accused is further accused of forging a document (firearms certificate No. 12256) without lawful authority or excuse and purporting it to be genuinely issued by the Chief Licensing Officer of the Firearms Licensing Board.
It is worth noting that Balle Balle club has a history of human trafficking, with its owners, Shaikh Furqan Hussain and Abdul Waheed Khan, previously being arraigned in court over allegations of human trafficking.
During the raid at Balle Balle club, four revelers were arrested, and an expert witness, a Forensic ballistics examiner, confirmed that she had tested the firearm and the ammunition in conducting the Forensic firearm examination.
However, the Counsel for the Defendant attempted to discredit the expert witness report, but Hon. Martha Mutuku dismissed the counsel, averring that as per the rules of evidence, an expert witness could not be discredited.
On December 12, 2019, Mahakamani News reported on this case, highlighting the complexities of the case and the accused's alleged involvement in human trafficking.
