Nagpur: Nandanvan Police in Nagpur arrested two members of the notorious Pappu Patel gang, identified as Naushad Ansari Salauddin Ansari (20), and Mohammad Shakib Mohammad Sadiq (22), both residents of Hasanbagh, and seized two locally-made pistols and seven live cartridges from their possession.
According to police, Naushad and Shakib have close ties with Pappu Patel, known for his involvement in fake currency, and smuggling of arms. A few months ago, Nagpur police took action against Patel for distributing counterfeit notes. Later, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted raids on Patel’s residence and office and confiscated a significant amount of cash.
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Meanwhile, Jamil Ahmed, the operator of Al Karim Guest House in Mominpura, was fatally shot. Police suspected a larger weapons’ racket in the ensuing investigation. Earlier, Patel had been arrested by the police under Arms Act. However, after securing bail, he absconded. The police learned that Pappu had supplied weapons to his associates Naushad and Shakib before fleeing. So, the police set up a trap in Hasanbagh and nabbed the two.
While initial searches yielded nothing, a subsequent search of Naushad’s residence uncovered two pistols and seven cartridges concealed in a cupboard. Both accused admitted to receiving the weapons from Pappu Patel, said police. The police have registered a case under the provisions of Arms Act against Naushad and Shakib.
Additionally, two individuals named Ravi Umathe and Rishabh Mishra have been detained in connection with the illegal purchase and sale of weapons. Ravi Umathe, formerly associated with gangster Santosh Ambekar, has been found displaying posters in Gandhi Nagar area, despite being in police custody. A program organized in their names reportedly drew participation from several criminal elements, said police officials.
