New Delhi: A court Thursday extended by two days the police custody of advocate Deepak Khatri, a member of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s legal team, in an alleged illegal arms supply case.The prosecution sought further custody after two protected witnesses came forward against Khatri and another accused was arrested, saying he needed to be confronted with these developments.Special judge Anu Grover Baliga rejected the defence plea for judicial custody, citing the safety of the witnesses. “I can’t allow the same as there’s a matter of the witness’ safety as well. How will he be confronted in judicial custody while the witnesses are subjected to threats?” she orally observed.The prosecution had sought five-day custody, saying an accused was arrested following Khatri’s interrogation. The defence, however, denied that Khatri had made any disclosure voluntarily, alleging that he was being coerced and that police were calling his clients to obtain information.The defence also alleged that Khatri was being threatened and mistreated in custody and complained about searches conducted on his premises Wednesday without a warrant. It sought full-time CCTV surveillance of Khatri in custody. When the prosecution offered to shift him to the Laxmi Nagar police station lock-up, where CCTV cameras are installed, the defence objected. The court finally directed that Khatri be confronted under CCTV surveillance.On Aug 26, Delhi Police got three days’ custody of Khatri, who was apprehended at Indira Gandhi International Airport a day before. The court observed that custodial interrogation was required considering the allegations concerning national security, the gravity of the alleged offence, his criminal antecedents and the need to unearth the entire chain.An FIR was registered by the crime branch on March 13, 2026, followed by raids across several states. Khatri was allegedly in contact with Bangladesh-based arms supplier Shahbaz Ansari, acting as an intermediary for jailed gang members, and helped arrange ammunition for the gang.
