A 55-year-old builder and social media influencer, known online as “Pookie Don,” has been arrested in Maharashtra’s Thane district after police recovered a large cache of weapons hidden inside his residence. The accused, identified as Surendra Panduranga Patil, was taken into custody in Dombivli on March 28, just days after he had secured bail in another case.
Acting on a tip-off, Crime Branch officials conducted a search at his bungalow in the Dawdi area, where they discovered a concealed compartment behind a newly installed shoe rack panel. The panel reportedly appeared out of place with the rest of the house’s interiors, raising suspicion and leading to its inspection. Behind it, officers found a significant stockpile of weapons and ammunition.
The recovered items included five country-made pistols and revolvers, some engraved with “Made in USA,” along with two air guns, 371 cartridges, and 167 air gun pellets. In addition, police seized a sword, a button knife, another sharp-edged weapon, and two steel rods. The total value of the seized arms is estimated to be around Rs 10 lakh, with officials noting that the quantity of ammunition suggested the weapons were operational.
Patil, who has over three lakh followers on Instagram and is known for posting gangster-style content, claimed during questioning that the weapons were merely props used for his social media videos. However, investigators are not ruling out more serious possibilities and are examining whether the cache was intended for illegal distribution or for building a local armed network.
Police have registered a case against him under provisions of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the weapons, possible links to criminal networks, and the intended use of the seized arsenal.
