Thane Police Uncover Massive Arms and Fake Currency Cache in Builder's Secret Room
The investigation into 55-year-old builder and reel star Surendra Pandurang Patil has intensified dramatically after Thane City Police Crime Branch made a startling discovery. Authorities uncovered counterfeit currency along with a substantial cache of illegal arms, strongly indicating possible links to a larger organized criminal network.
Secret Compartment Leads to Hidden Arsenal
During a raid on the accused's premises, police made a remarkable find. They discovered a concealed compartment cleverly hidden behind a shoe rack on a building terrace. This hidden cavity led investigators to a secret room where Patil allegedly stored weapons and fake currency notes.
The total seizure from this operation is valued at approximately Rs 12.2 lakh. This comprehensive haul includes arms, ammunition, counterfeit currency, and various electronic items. The counterfeit currency alone had a face value of Rs 3.5 lakh, representing a significant portion of the recovered materials.
Extensive Weapons Recovery Details
Police conducted subsequent searches that yielded an extensive arsenal. Authorities recovered three country-made pistols along with various other weapons. The complete weapons inventory includes:
- One revolver
- Seven single-shot country-made firearms
- Two air guns
- One empty magazine
- 405 live cartridges
- 167 air gun pellets
In addition to firearms, police seized numerous sharp weapons including swords, machetes, knives, and iron rods. Mobile phones and other electronic items were also recovered during the operation, according to DCP (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav.
Accused's Extensive Criminal History
Officials described Patil as a habitual offender with at least 12 cases registered across multiple police stations. His extensive criminal record includes serious offences under:
- The Arms Act
- Provisions of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act)
- Attempted murder
- Criminal intimidation
Police revealed that Patil was previously linked to counterfeit currency operations, suggesting this may not be his first involvement in such activities. This background adds significant context to the current investigation and recovery.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
A formal case has been registered against Surendra Pandurang Patil, who remains in police custody as the investigation continues. The discovery of such a substantial cache of weapons and counterfeit currency has raised serious concerns about potential organized crime connections.
The Thane City Police Crime Branch is now working to determine the origins of the weapons and counterfeit currency, as well as investigating possible links to broader criminal networks. The recovery of this hidden arsenal represents one of the more significant seizures in recent Thane police operations.
