UP minister's relative own the seized rifle

Mahoba, June 14 (UNI) The rifle seized from the perperators of an idol smuggling racket busted yesterday, has been traced to a distant relative of an Uttar Pradesh minister.

''The rifle recovered from one of the four accused Santosh Tiwari's possession belongs to Raju Singh, the distant relative of minister of state for small industries Badshah Singh,'' Police Superintendent Gyan Singh said.

Raju Singh is Samajwadi Party's Mahoba district unit president.

''Another accused Raju Mishra tried to deceive the police by first pretending as a representative of an SP MP Raj Narayan Budholia and later of an Vidhan Parishad candidate Yuvraj Singh,'' the SP added.

Police had yesterday arrested Santosh, Raju Mishra, Bharat Tiwari and Harendra in the case.

Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman, burgled from the Ram Janaki temple a month back, were seized in a raid at Santosh's residence at Kharela town.

Besides, 200 gms smack, estimated at Rs 20 lakh in international market and 700 gms opium was recovered from their possession.

The hardened criminals had several cases against them. Santosh was involved in a murder case and was freed only a couple of days back.

Meanwhile, the police were investigating as to how the rifle came in the possession of the gang.

UNI