24 October,2014 06:51 AM IST | | Saurabh Vaktania
Shrikant Mishra, an advocate at the Bombay High Court, was arrested from his Malad residence; Crime Branch now on the lookout for his accomplice Siddique
In what could become a perfect story for a Bollywood potboiler, officials from Crime Branch Unit IX arrested a lawyer for his involvement in stealing motorcycles and selling their parts.
The accused was identified as Shrikant Sitlaprasad Mishra (39). A criminal lawyer at the Bombay High Court, Mishra was arrested on Wednesday morning from his apartment in Vasant View building near Orlem Church, Malad. Police are now hunting for his accomplice, Siddique.
According to police officials, nine months ago they had received a tip-off about Mishra being involved in stealing motorcycles and selling their parts. He was summoned to the police station, but was let off for want of evidence despite police recovering six motorcycles from his possession.
However, he was booked under Section 41D of the CrPC, which allows police to detain anyone on suspicion. But, Mishra's luck ran out a month ago after the police registered an FIR against Siddique and him at the Bandra police station. The case was filed after officials learnt that Mishra would change engine and chassis number of the stolen vehicles.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Mishra from his residence. During interrogation, Mishra claimed innocence and blamed Siddique for all the thefts. He told police Siddique would operate between Vasai and Virar areas, and would keep the bikes with Mishra.
He even claimed that he had no idea that the bikes were stolen. But, the police refused to buy his defence and produced him in the court on Wednesday. Mishra was then remanded in police custody.
