Surendranagar cop held with illegal firearms

Vadodara, June 22 (UNI) Crime branch sleuths have arrested a Gujarat police constable after a country-made revolver and six live cartridges were recovered from his possession as he was entering Vadodara city with his friend yesterday.

Constable Ravsinh Rathwa, presently posted in Surendranagar district, and his friend Bansinh Rathwa were held under the Arms Act and later produced before a local court, which remanded the duo to police custody for four days.

DCB sources said acting on a tip-off, they intercepted the duo's motorcycle at the Golden Chowkdi toll gate and seized the illegal firearm, which they were reportedly carrying to commit a crime. Both are said to be residents of Kanalwa village under Kawant taluka in the district.

During preliminary interrogation, the cop admitted that he had bought the firearm illegally from Madhya Pradesh only for self-protection of his Sarpanch-wife, as she was facing intense political rivalry in the village. However, he was not involved in any criminal act or smuggling of arms. Senior crime branch officials are interrogating the duo, sources added.

UNI