Maharashtra police seized 89 swords on Thursday morning from a Mahindra Scorpio on the Mumbai-Agra highway. The car was allegedly transporting swords from Chittorgarh in Rajasthan when it was intercepted in Dhule. Police arrested 4 men in connection to the swords. It is unclear why the swords were being transported, according to the local police.
The arrested men reportedly belong to Jalna and were transporting the swords to sell them, as per the police. Authorities also added that an investigation is on and they will check with officials in Rajasthan to ascertain why the swords were being transported, and whether the men had necessary permissions to do so.
The incident has sparked a row among the Opposition in Maharashtra with questions being raised why a vehicle laden with numerous swords was being transported from a Congress-ruled state.
BJP leader Ram Kadam asked why swords from a Congress-ruled state were being brought to Mumbai and questioned if they were meant to attack someone or create disturbance in the state. BJP leader Ashish Shelar questioned if the state government, which had registered an FIR against Raj Thackeray for showing a sword in a rally, would register an FIR against the home minister after so many swords were found.
Congress leader Atul Londhe said the police were investigating the case and it will soon be clear why the swords were brought into the state.