Pune: The Local Crime Branch of Ranjangaon MIDC police station successfully arrested a history-sheeter and his accomplice for illegal possession of firearms in Sonesangvi village, under Shirur taluka, Pune district. The operation led to the seizure of four country-made pistols, 12 live cartridges, and three magazines, collectively valued at ₹1,82,000.
Acting on a tip-off, the crime branch team, accompanied by two judges, raided the residence of Suraj Rajesh Padle (27), a known criminal from Sonesangvi. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Padle and his associate Sanket Santosh Mahamuni, a resident of Sarawadi, Shirur, along with two others, had procured illegal firearms from Madhya Pradesh. The accused were found to be in possession of the weapons and ammunition, which were confiscated during the raid.
A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered at Shirur Police Station. Following their arrest, the court granted police custody remand for the accused until April 2, 2025. Authorities are now probing the exact motive behind the acquisition and storage of these illegal weapons.
Both Padle and Mahamuni have previous criminal records related to violent offenses and arms-related cases. This latest action adds to the growing crackdown on illegal firearms in the region. The Local Crime Branch has successfully seized a total of seven illegal firearms and 17 live cartridges since the beginning of the year.
During the annual inspection of Pune Rural District, Special Inspector General of Police, Kolhapur Region, Pankaj Deshmukh, lauded the efforts of the crime branch. Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, Pankaj Deshmukh, along with Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopde, and other senior officers, commended the successful operation.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prashant Dhole, Police Inspector Avinash Shilimkar, and a dedicated team of officers including Saponi Dattajirao Mohite, Constables Tushar Pandare, Janardhan Shelke, Sanjay Jadhav, Raju Momin, and Amol Shedge.
The police have assured further investigations to uncover any larger network involved in the illegal firearms trade.
