‘Maharashtra Kesari’ wrestler Sikandar Shaikh arrested in Punjab for arms smuggling !

Solapur – ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ wrestler Sikandar Shaikh, a resident of Mohol taluka in Solapur district, has been arrested by Punjab Police in Mohali along with three others in connection with an arms smuggling case. On 24 October, accused Daanveer and his associate Bunty had arrived in Mohali with two firearms in a car. These weapons were to be handed over to Sikandar Shaikh, who was responsible for supplying them to a person named Happy. However, before the delivery could take place, the police apprehended the trio near the Mohali airport junction. Following Shaikh’s arrest, the police also arrested Happy and seized three guns from him.

Police officer Harman Hans, while addressing a press conference, said that the police recovered ₹1.99 lakh in cash, five pistols, cartridges, and three luxury cars from the accused. A case has been registered under the Arms Act at Kharar Police Station. The arrested men are reportedly connected with the Vikram and Papla Gurjar gang, active in Haryana and Rajasthan. They were bringing weapons from Uttar Pradesh and supplying them across Punjab and nearby regions. While three of the accused already have a criminal background, Punjab Police are now in contact with Maharashtra Police to verify whether Sikandar Shaikh also has any prior criminal record.

The controversial career of wrestler Sikandar Shaikh

Sikandar Shaikh received wrestling training at Gangaves Talim in Kolhapur. He had stirred controversy during the 2023 ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ mud wrestling finals held in Pune, after he objected to the referee’s decision. Despite the controversy, he went on to win the ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ title in the subsequent bout. Later, he joined the Indian Army through the sports quota but eventually resigned. For the past five to six months, he had been living in a rented house in Punjab, allegedly working as a middleman in an arms supply chain.