The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a group of contract killers who served some top gangs, including that of Chhota Rajan, ATS chief Rakesh Maria told a press conference here on Monday.
Ganglords, namely Rajan, Prasad Pujari, Ravi Pujari and Kumar Pillai “outsourced” murders and kidnappings by paying a contract killing sum, Mr. Maria said. The sum charged varied with the target. The starting amount was around Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh, Mr. Maria said.
The arrested are Vijay Vasant Kedari (37), Vinod Shete (35), Sunil Balkrishna (26), Rakesh Shetty (32), Rajesh Machindra Pardeshi alias Barkya (32), Prasad Pujari's cousin Navin Pujari (31) and Kishore Angre alias Anu Angre (29) from various places in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai this month. The police have recovered one Webley and Scott .38 revolver, three 7.65 mm pistols, handguns, 49 live rounds, two cars, 14 mobile phones and one magazine. The weapons would be sent for forensic analysis, Mr. Maria said.
