Mangalore : The Mangalore City Special Police team and the staffs have successfully arrested four associates of Underworld don Bannanje Raja and other three who came to sell the illegal pistol and seized the 2 pistol, 1 revolver, 11 bombs and two cars worth Rs 4.50 lakhs possession from them, said Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh.

Speaking at the press meet held at his office on August 25, Thursday, he said that the Kadri police had registered the case against Bannanje Raj and his associates on Suresh Bhandary, owner of Prithvi Developers near Kadri Park on June 26, 2011.

Recently, the case has also been registered against one of his associates for firing three rounds on cashier and security Guard of ‘Airodi Jewellers’, Udupi on August 19, 2011.

The operation was conducted by the special team formed by City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, DCP M Muthuraya and DCP (crime) Dharmaiah under the leadership of Circle Inspector Vinay Gaonkar.

As soon Inspector Vinay Gaonkar received the information of Bannanje Raja’s associates residing in a secret place at Kottara Chowki and planning to collect the ransom from the businessman, he conducted a raid on August 25, Thursday morning at 11 am and arrested Devdas Shetty (44) of Kottara Chowki, Niraj Srivastav alias Manish Kumar alias Rahul (25) of Gorakpur, Uttar Pradesh, Ali Hussian (22) of Ghorakpur, Vinod Kulal (29) of Jalligudde and seized 1 pistol, 1 revolver, 6 bombs, 1 car and mobile phones. In the arrested Niraj Srivastav was supplying the weapns to the arrested. Ali Hussain and Javed alias Ajay from Gorakhpur are the sharp shooters of Bannanje Raja.

The other arrested three Amit Chowrasiya (27) from Bihar, Rehaj Khan (41), Puuta Swamy (44) are associates of Niraj Srivastav. These were arrested when they were trying to sell the weapns. The police have seized one pistol, 5 rounds and one Indica car from them. This case has been registered at Kavoor Police Station and investigation is on.

The commissioner has recommended the DGP and IGP to reward the police officials involved the search operation.

DCP M Muthuratya, Circle Inspector Vinay Gaonkar and others were present.