The accused, identified as Yogesh Siriah (28), had been on the run.
A search led to the seizure of two country-made pistols, five magazines, 14 live rounds, and two mobile phones, with the total value of the recovered property estimated at over Rs 1.30 lakh. The plan, however, was foiled due to the presence and intervention of Meshram’s aides.
Police said Siriah was allegedly the mastermind behind a plot to murder his former prison rival Vishal Meshram shortly after the latter’s release from jail. Siriah went underground soon after Thapa’s arrest in Jaripatka, according to police. Police sources said Siriah was allegedly in regular touch with an arms dealer based in Khandwa, from whom he is suspected of sourcing weapons for supply to criminals in Nagpur. Police also said Siriah has a history of alleged involvement in the sale and distribution of mephedrone (MD).
Nagpur: Police have arrested a history-sheeter who was allegedly plotting to eliminate a former jail co-inmate outside the Central Jail gate and recovered two country-made pistols, five magazines, and a cache of live ammunition allegedly sourced from Madhya Pradesh. Acting on specific information, a team led by senior inspector Dilip Chandan laid a trap and arrested Siriah from outside a xerox centre in Dharampeth. The arrest follows the crime branch’s Aug crackdown in which accused Akash Thapa was arrested with three firearms. During questioning, Thapa allegedly named Siriah and another accused, Abhay, as the suppliers of the weapons. During interrogation, he claimed to have procured the firearms from one Ajju, a resident of Khadan Wasti in Sadar, who was later allegedly murdered. However, investigators believe the gun-running operation extends beyond local contacts.