A Borivali resident has been arrested after he was allegedly found to be in possession of illegal arms and ammunition, days before the city goes to polls on April 29.
According to the Khar police, the accused, Chetan Chandu Patel (29), is a resident of Jamunadas Budiya Patel chawl in Borivali, and was nabbed on Tuesday night by a team led by police inspector Daya Nayak.
Based on a tip-off, Mr. Patel was intercepted in Murti Galli near Khar railway station around 11.30 p.m.. On being searched, he was found to be carrying two country-made pistols and six live rounds, after which he was arrested.
“Inquiries so far indicate that Mr. Patel, who worked as a construction worker, acquired the arsenal from a history-sheeter around three months ago. He had been trying to sell them for money as he had been unemployed over the past few months,” Mr. Nayak said.
The police are now trying to apprehend the person who provided the weapons to Mr. Patel. Officers said the person has been identified as Raju Nepali, who has a criminal record and has been missing for the last three months.
Mr. Patel has been charged under the Arms Act along with relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act.
In view of the Lok Sabha elections, all police stations and Crime Branch units have been instructed to step up vigilance and be on the lookout for any criminal activity such as illegal arms dealing and drug peddling in Mumbai, officers said.
