Nashik, May 25 (Agency) Two inter-state gang members have been arrested for allegedly stealing liquor stock worth Rs 27 lakh, stated the Nashik Road Police on Tuesday. The duo accused have been identified as Shankar Manju Gowda (44, Karnataka resident) and history sheeter Mukhtar Ahmed Sheikh (35, J&K resident). On May 9, the duo along with other accused gagged the security guard before sneaking into the liquor warehouse located at the Lohia compound, police told. Subsequently, a robbery case was filed and the Crime Branch started the probe. Based on technical inputs, accused Mukhtar was traced to Jalna district and his arrest on Monday led to the seizure of liquor worth Rs 23.32 lakh.
Besides the alcohol stock, a truck, car and jeep have also been impounded as probe took the Crime Branch to the cities of Navi Mumbai and Pune. Next, his accomplice Shankar was held, police said, adding that search for other partners-in-crime is on. According to cops, Mukhtar was earlier convicted by a Mumbai court and sentenced to eight years in prison. However, he was released on bail after serving six years in Mumbai and Nashik Central Jails. He jumped bail and turned to crime again, they added.