Without ID,don’t sell even tricycles: Pune Cops

Investigators had earlier revealed that the suspects,speaking Hindi and Gujarati,had selected two Hero bicycles and told the owner and workers at the Soni Cycle Trading Company in Budhwar Peth that they did not want any receipt.

Sources said that after the owner insisted they take one for the two-year warranty,and gave one that mentioned the cost of the two bicycles,Rs 7,200,the make and warranty period,but not the names of the buyers.

The suspects are believed to have purchased another bicycle from a shop close to the traffic signal near Phadke Haud chowk in the same area.

Police had earlier said the suspects first checked for secondhand bicycles at several shops between Lal Mahal and Phadke Haud in Budhwar Peth-Kasba Peth area.

Not finding any,they purchased new ones. Three of the six explosives on JM road had been planted on these bicycles.

One of those who attended Monday’s meeting,Baba Kulkarni of Kulkarni & Sons,a cycle shop in Appa Balwant Chowk,said,“There were around 30 cycle traders from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in the meeting. Some owners of lodges and hotels were also present.

“Cops told us to check identity proofs of customers like pan card and driving licence,and keep a photocopy before selling bicycles. Cops also appealed the owners to install CCTV cameras at cycle shops.”

On Tuesday,cycle shop owners were seen insisting on identity proofs of customers.

A police team meanwhile conducted inquiries at J M Road. Police are also scanning footage obtained from CCTV cameras collected from various shops for clues.

Investigation is on to ascertain the number of suspects involved and whether they had arrived on bicycles or any other vehicle for planting the explosives.