Jalgaon Police Arrest Two, Seize Firearms and Swords in Major Bust
In a significant operation, the Jalgaon police arrested two individuals on Sunday after discovering two firearms and eight swords in their possession. The arrests have shed light on a broader criminal network, with one of the accused being a fugitive wanted in a murder case registered at the Ramanand police station.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The suspects have been identified as Dhananjay, alias Dhiraj Koli, a 20-year-old resident of Paldhi in Jalgaon's Dharangaon taluka, and Ajay Dole, a 23-year-old from Neri Digar in Jamner taluka. The police action was initiated following a tip-off received by Assistant Inspector Anil Wagh of the Jilha Peth police station. Wagh was informed that Dhiraj Koli, a suspect in a murder case, was seen roaming in Jalgaon city.
Acting swiftly, Wagh formed a dedicated team to trace Koli. During routine patrolling, the team spotted Koli and Ajay Dole riding a motorcycle near the R R School. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, the police recovered a sword and a country-made pistol. During initial questioning, Dole confessed to selling the firearm to Koli.
Recovery of Additional Weapons and Custody
Following the arrest, the suspects were placed in police custody for three days until Wednesday. Further interrogation led to the recovery of an additional pistol from Koli and seven more swords from Dole. The police operation was conducted under the guidance of Jalgaon SP Maheswar Reddy, Additional SP Ashok Nakhate, and Deputy SP Nitin Ganapure.
Police officials revealed that Koli has a history of criminal activities, with cases of attempted murder and rioting registered against him at various police stations. He is also a prime suspect in a murder case. Dole, on the other hand, has a case under the Arms Act registered against him with the Ambad police station.
Background of the Murder Case and Weapon Sourcing
Assistant Inspector Wagh provided further details, stating that Koli had allegedly killed another youth near his residence approximately one and a half months ago. Since then, Koli had been evading arrest. The investigation also uncovered that Koli had sourced the swords from Rajasthan with the intention of selling them to individuals in the region.
On Wednesday, the court remanded both suspects to 14 days of judicial custody, marking a crucial step in the legal proceedings. The Jalgaon police are continuing their interrogation to determine the exact purpose behind carrying the weapons and to trace the broader network involved in the illegal arms trade.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb violent crimes and illegal weapon trafficking in the region. The seizure of multiple firearms and swords underscores the potential threat posed by such activities, and the police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.
