The Delhi police recently arrested a computer application graduate turned 'drug lord' along with his two associates. According to police, accused Sharafat Sheikh (53) has 37 criminal cases registered against him, including a case under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA).

"The other two accused have been identified as Pappu alias Kana alias Tabrez (33) and Piyush Verma (23). We have recovered three stolen bikes and 18 mobiles from them," said Chinmoy Biswal, deputy commissioner of police, South-East.

Police said that on January 25, Verma was arrested during a check at Barapulla Flyover Picket at 8:30 pm. Verma was riding a bike but could not have ownership documents. The police found out that the scooter was stolen.

"Verma, a son of a government employee in Railways disclosed that he was addicted to drugs and liquor. He started stealing and selling bikes and mobiles from Nizamuddin area to Pappu," said Biswal.

The police arrested Pappu, who told the cops that he worked Sharafat Sheikh. The latter gave the vehicles to drug peddlers. The cops raided Sheikh's residence and seized 18 mobiles. They arrested Sheikh. "Another accused of Sheikh identified as Sheikh Hannan was also arrested with illegal arms and a country made pistol was recovered from him. He was booked under the MCOCA with Sharafat in 2005," Biswal said.

Sharafat was in judicial custody on charges of MCOCA as he was part of an organised crime syndicate. He was released from jail recently. Soon after his release, he started receiving stolen properties from the drug addicts.

MURKY DEALS

• The police recovered three stolen bikes and 18 mobiles from the accused  
• Main accused Sharafat Sheikh has 37 criminal cases registered against him, including a case under MCOCA  
• Other two accused have been identified as Pappu and Piyush Verma