Fourth accused in Dadar flower market shootout arrested from UP

MUMBAI: The Mumbai crime branch along with Orai police in Uttar Pradesh (UP) have arrested the fourth accused in connection with the murder of Manoj Maurya, 35, who was shot dead on October 12 near Dadar flower market.

The accused was wanted in the case as he had provided the country-made pistol that was used in the crime.

Police said the accused Purshotam, alias Mallu Saksena, was arrested on Friday after a joint combing operation was carried out by the Orai police and a Mumbai team set up by deputy commissioner of police, Dilip Sawat.

After the arrest of the three other accused, Radha Krishna Kushwa, a businessman from Delhi, Rajendra Aherwar, and Hemandra Kushwa both from UP, police discovered that Purshotam had arranged the pistol for the shootout.

“The team raided Purshotam’s residence in Phatakpura and arrested him. We found a 315mm country-made revolver and a pistol in his possession which was seized and a case was registered against him. At present, he is in jail and soon the Mumbai crime branch will take custody of him,” said RK Singh, police inspector, Orai police station. During the investigation, police found that the pistol used in the murder was bought by Purshotam at ₹6,000 and was sold to the shooter for ₹10,000. “We found that the accused has around nine cases against him in Mumbai and other areas,” said a crime branch officer.

We found a 315mm countrymade revolver and a pistol in Purshotam’s possession which was seized and a case was registered against him. RK SINGH, inspector, Orai police