The CCB arrested two interstate illegal arms while they were waiting for a buyer and seized two pistols and nine live rounds from them.
Published Jan 19, 2024 | 5:31 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 19, 2024 | 5:31 PM
Arrested Arms dealers Rahul Sateesh Mane and Mallik Saleem Shaik and the seized arms from them
The Central Crime Branch (CCB)’s Organised Crime Wing has arrested two interstate illegal firearm dealers and seized two pistols and nine live rounds from their possession, while they were waiting for an unidentified customer in West Bengaluru.
Identifying the accused as Rahul Sateesh Mane (31) and Mallik Saleem Shaik (25), both residents of the Sangli district in Maharashtra, CCB officers said they were arrested based on a tipoff that an arms dealer, identified only as Chotu of Indore, had sent his henchmen with a consignment to Bengaluru.
The men were waiting in a car near a lake on the Ullal Ring Road when the police surrounded them around 11.30 am on 14 January. They reportedly surrendered without offering any resistance. The firearms and ammunition were found during a further check.
The duo reportedly told the police that they were waiting for someone to collect the pistols, based on Chotu’s instructions. The car was also seized, the CCB said.
The police said Mane was facing at least five cases booked under the Arms Act. Four of them were registered in various police stations at Miraj in Sangli, while one at the Byatarayanapura police station in Bengaluru in 2022.
While lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, he made contact with several rowdy sheeters and offered them to sell firearms. After getting bail in 2023, he went to Indore and met Chotu, and explained the “business” prospects in Bengaluru.
Incidentally, Mane had befriended Chotu while both were jailed in Miraj. Based on Mane’s assurance, Chotu arranged two pistols and sent the men to Bengaluru.
Based on a complaint by a CCB officer, a case under the Arms Act was registered at the Jnanabharathi police station and the accused were produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.
“We will seek their custody on 22 January to know about the buyer in Bengaluru and other details. We are also collecting information on how many rowdy elements have firearms in their possession,” a senior CCB officer told South First.
