Explosives,firearms seized from businessman

A team led by inspector Sunil Deshmukh of the crime branch (Unit I) arrested Khatri near Hotel Ambience on Kalewadi road an hour before midnight and allegedly seized the explosives and firearms from his car. Khatri was produced in court on Sunday and remanded in police custody till Tuesday. The remand application submitted by police says they seized around one kilogram of explosive,suspected to be ammonium nitrate,eight gelatin sticks,three country-made revolvers,a country-made pistol and eight live cartridges,from Khatri.

Deshmukh told Newsline,“Khatri has three cases registered against him in the past. During interrogation,he gave us vague answers to mislead us. He has not yet told us the motive for possessing all these materials. We are trying to find why Khatri had come to the hotel.” Sources said Khatri has been also trading in second hand cars and is politically connected. One of the cases registered against him is under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Khatri was booked under section 3(25) of the Arms Act,section 4 and 5 of Explosive Substances Act read with section 135 of the Bombay Police Act.

Deshmukh added,“We are yet to find whom Khatri had got in touch with for procuring the explosives and firearms. We do not know who is the mastermind. The fact that he has bought a hotel in Bangkok prompted us to investigate the source of the money.”

Vishal Shevani,Khatri’s brother-in-law ,told reporters outside court,“This a conspiracy against Khatri by some politically powerful persons. They are putting pressure in all possible ways. Khatri’s wife (Sarita) was assaulted by two persons on Saturday night. She suffered hand injuries.” He did not elaborate.

The substances seized have been sent to the forensic tests. Police said they arrested Khatri on a tip-off from informants of constables Sunil Pawar. The investigating team comprised PSI Dattaram Bagwe,constables Pratik Laygude Sambhaji Bhoite and Santosh Kshirsagar.