Four underworld gang members held in two crime branch operations

Four alleged members of an underworld gang have been arrested by crime branch sleuths in two different operations.

As per senior inspector Vinayak Vast, a businessman from the western suburbs had received a call from the gangster, who operates from abroad. "The gangster demanded Rs2 crore and threatened to bump off the victim if the demand is not met," said Vast.

Pune residents Sameer Sayyed, 21, Ashraf Sayyed, 21, and Ejaz Shaikh, 22, were then nabbed for their alleged involvement in threatening the businessman.

The police have recovered two firearms, four live rounds, mobile phone and SIM card from the trio.

In another case, the Unit VIII of crime branch on Thursday arrested Sampat Kotiyan, 31, a member of the same gang. Kotiyan was held from Andheri Kurla road. "We have seized a firearm and two live rounds from Kotiyan," said senior inspector Deepak Phatangre.

As per the police, Kotiyan has 16 serious offences including murder and extortion, filed against him.