MH-WEAPONS-SEIZURE

Police have seized a cache of

around 170 weapons, including swords, knives and kukris,

during a raid at a fashion products shop in Dombivli in the

district, an official said Wednesday.

The raid was conducted on Monday night following a

tip-off, the official said, adding that the owner of the shop

has been arrested.

The weapons were kept on sale at the shop- Tapasya

House of Fashion- which deals in fashion and cosmetic

products, Sanju John, senior inspector of Kalyan unit of Thane

Crime Branch, said.

"During the raid, around 170 weapons, including air

guns, 10 swords, 38 press button knives, 25 choppers, nine

kukris, nine guptis (bladed weapon concealed in a wooden

case), five knives, three axes, one sickle, were recovered,"

he said.

The seized weapons are collectively worth Rs 1.86

lakh. The outlet has been in operation since the last over

seven months, the official said.

"The owner of the shop, Dhananjay Kulkarni (49), has

been arrested in this connection," John said.

According to police, the accused had procured the arms

from Crawford Market in south Mumbai, as well as from Punjab

and Rajasthan.

Kulkarni was Tuesday produced before a local court,

which remanded him in judicial custody, police said.

Further investigation into the case is on.