Maharashtra ATS arrests former Shiv Sena corporator in connection with the seizure of crude bombs

Former Shiv Sena corporator Shrikant Pangarkar was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Sunday in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from different parts of the state. The arrested accused was planning to carry out blasts in five cities. 

"Shrikant Pangarkar was arrested under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act", an ATS official informed. 

Shrikant Pangarkar will be produced in the Mumbai Session Court on Monday at 1 pm.  

Who is Shrikant Pangarkar?

Shrikant Pangarkar is a former member of the Jalna Municipal Corporation who was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the murder case of activist Narendra Dabholkar. CBI sources had said that Shrikant Pangarkar's name had cropped up during the interrogation of Sachin Prakasrao Andure, the alleged main shooter in the Narendra Dabholkar murder case.

Read: ATS Arrests Sanatan Sanstha Worker After Recovering 8 Crude Bombs From His Residence, Sanstha to Provide Legal Aid

Earlier, three persons, including one affiliated to a right-wing outfit, were arrested on Friday, with the Maharashtra police saying that it had recovered a large quantity of explosives that were to be used for carrying out blasts at various places in the state.

Vaibhav Raut (40), Sharad Kalaskar (25) and Sudhanwa Gondhalekar (39) were arrested following raids that began last night in the Palghar district and spanned to Pune, the police said.

Along with 12 crude bombs, ATS has recovered materials used in making these bombs like gun powder, two gelatin sticks, electronic detonator, batteries, relay switch, soldering machine and hand gloves. ATS is carrying out further investigation to recover more explosives.

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