2 criminals held with army pistol

Varanasi, June 3 (UNI) The district police has arrested two criminals along with a pistol meant only for use by military personnel from the Cholapur area here.

Matru alias Mahendra Yadav and Upendra Nath Yadav were nabbed, following a specific tip off last night. A 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine meant for supply to army was recovered from one of the arrested, Station Officer (Cholapur) Sitaram Chowdhary said today.

''Nine mm auto pistol only for army supply was written on the seized pistol,'' he added.

Two kg 'ganja' valued at Rs 15,000 in the international market has also been seized from the two criminals, who were on their way to commit a major crime in Varanasi, Mr Chowdhary said.

Early interrogation has revealed the duo are related to Babloo Singh and Nagendra Yadav, criminals working for underworld don turned BSP MLA from Dhanapur (Chandauli) Sushil Kumar Singh, who was released on bail in a 2006 murder case two days back.

Investigation are on as to how the two criminals managed to get a weapon meant only for army supply, Mr Chowdhary added.

On January 25, 2004, Deputy Police Superintendent of Special Task Force of UP Police Shailendra Singh had recovered a Light Machine Gun of the Indian Army from an army desertor Hira Lal Yadav in Chaubeypur area of Varanasi.

Later, investigations had revealed that the army desertor was carrying the LMG for controversial independent MLA Muktar Ansari.

The STF cop later quit his job allegedly, following pressure from the then ruling Samajwadi Party while investigating the high profile case.

UNI