Solapur, 20 Aug (HS): An inter-state racket

illegally supplying country made pistols was exposed in Solapur. The pistols

were being supplied in Solapur, Sangli, in Maharashtra and Belgavi in Karnataka.

Akluj Police arrested eight accused, including the supplier of arms from Madhya

Pradesh, and seized 17 country made pistols and 47 live cartridges. The

material seized was valued at Rs 18.48 lakh.

Based on information that an individual is coming

for sale of arms near Sangam diversion on Solapur-Akluj-Tembhurni road, police

laid a trap and arrested Vikas Kalias Wajale along with the car in which he was

travelling. Police found two pistols and four cartridges in his possession.

During interrogation he told to have purchased the arms from Anil Panchlal

Mehta from Badwani in Mdhya Pradesh through a middleman Rahul Satish Mane.

Wajale also informed that Mehta is arriving in

Maharashtra’s Dhule district’s Songir village. Police again laid a trap to arrest

Mehta with four pistols and 25 live cartridges. Mehta revealed the whereabouts

of the broker Rahul Mane, who was arrested in Tembhurni along with buyers of

arms Mahadev Korke, Vijay Kirangi, Sumit Lavte, Pradip Pandurang Mane and Shani

Bansode and seized some arms from them.

Akluj Police are investigating the connections in

the racket in Maharashtra, Karnata, and Madhya Pradesh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar