Cache of weapons seized in raid at shop in Thane; owner held

Thane, January 16

Police had seized a cache of around 170 weapons, including swords, knives and kukris, during a raid at a fashion products shop in Dombivli in the district, an official said on Wednesday.

The raid was conducted on Monday night following a tip-off, the official said, adding that the owner of the shop had been arrested.

The weapons were kept on sale at the shop--Tapasya House of Fashion--which dealt in fashion and cosmetic products, Sanju John, senior inspector of Kalyan unit of Thane Crime Branch, said.

“During the raid, around 170 weapons, including air guns, 10 swords, 38 press-button knives, 25 choppers, nine kukris, nine guptis (bladed weapon concealed in a wooden case), five knives, three axes, one sickle, were recovered,” he said.

The seized weapons are collectively worth Rs 1.86 lakh. The outlet had been in operation for the past over seven months, the official said.

“The owner of the shop, Dhananjay Kulkarni (49), has been arrested in this connection,” John said.

According to police, the accused had procured the arms from Crawford Market in south Mumbai, as well as from Punjab and Rajasthan.

Kulkarni was on Tuesday produced before a local court, which remanded him in judicial custody, police said.

Further investigation into the case is on. PTI