In a dramatic late-night operation, the Thane Crime Branch arrested history-sheeter builder Surendra Panduranga Patil, just weeks after he was released on bail in another case.
The arrest came after a raid at his bungalow in Dombivli, where police uncovered a shocking cache of illegal weapons hidden inside the house.
Hidden Arms Found in Secret Compartment
Acting on a tip-off, police raided Patil’s residence in the Dawdi area and discovered a concealed storage compartment inside a newly installed shoe rack.
After removing a fake panel, officers recovered:
- 7 firearms, including country-made pistols and revolvers
- 371 live cartridges
- 167 air gun pellets
The total value of the seized weapons is estimated at around ₹10 lakh.
More Weapons Recovered
In addition to firearms, police also seized several sharp weapons, including:
- A button knife
- A dagger
- Two sickles
- A sword
- Iron rods
Officials said the quantity of ammunition indicates the weapons were fully functional and ready for use.
Police Probe Bigger Network
Deputy Commissioner of Police Amar Singh Jadhav said investigations are underway to trace the source of the weapons and identify suppliers.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of a larger criminal network and indicated that more recoveries could follow.
‘Reels’ Claim Under Scanner
Patil, who has over three lakh followers on Instagram, is known for posting gangster-style videos online.
He claimed the weapons were only used as props for social media reels. However, police are verifying this claim, given his criminal history and the scale of the seizure.
Fresh Charges Filed
Authorities have invoked fresh charges under the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act against Patil.
With the investigation expanding, officials are now examining whether the weapons were also being supplied to local criminal groups, making this case more serious than initially believed.
