Item girl Rakhi Sawant denies charges of owning pistol which two arrested UP criminals claim to have stolen from her
Bollywood item girl Rakhi Sawant, no stranger to controversy, now finds herself in the midst of another imbroglio. Except, this time it isn't about a fight on a reality show but a police investigation concerning an 8 mm caliber gun, which two apprehended criminals from Uttar Pradesh claim is hers.
 | | SUPERWOMAN: Rakhi Sawant says she never even applied for a weapon despite receiving threats. FILE PIC |
The matter came to the fore after Keshav Pandey (28) and Chandrakant Mishra (32) were arrested by the Belha police in Pratapgarh district in northern UP on charges of looting local businessman Ramdev Gupta at gunpoint.
Sawant connection
Police recovered three desi kattas and an Italian 8 mm caliber pistol from the duo. During interrogation, the suspects revealed that the pistol belonged to Sawant and said they had stolen it from her when they were in Mumbai.
| | | Wanted Criminals | | Pratapgarh police said that Pandey and Mishra were wanted in more than 10 cases of extortion and robbery. "We were shocked when we recovered such arms and ammunition from them," said an official. | | Mishra drives a taxi in Mumbai for eight months of the year and is believed to be involved in criminal activities in UP with his associate Pandey for the remaining four.
'Not my fault'
Sawant, on her part, has vehemently denied the charges. Speaking to MiD DAY, Sawant said, "I have never had a weapon or even applied for one despite receiving threats. If someone takes my name, it's not my fault. I can take care of myself as I am a gun myself. I am ready for any investigation and will cooperate with the police."
Investigation
The UP police have written a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan to carry out parallel investigations and ascertain whether the allegations levelled by the duo are true.
Superintendent of Police Lalji Shukla from Pratapgarh confirmed the report of the accusation and said, "We have asked the Mumbai police to investigate the claims made by the accused. A special team will go to Mumbai this week for further investigation and question Rakhi Sawant with the Mumbai police's help."
Did you know?
Rakhi Sawant was only 14 when she was offered her first item number opposite Govinda for the movie Joru Ka Gulam in 2000. | 
