`Kingpin' of bogus cotton seeds racket arrested

The alleged kingpin of a racket involved in selling of bogus cotton seeds has been arrested along with his associate, police have said.

According to Investigating Officer API Nandkishor Aayare, the racket came to light when Local Crime Branch sleuths nabbed two persons carrying bogus cotton seed packets on June 25.

The duo, Nagorao Gautre, a resident of Sankatmochen area and Kawadu Banghate, a resident of Khamgaon, gave the name of the proprietor of the Krushi Kendra from where they had collected the bogus cotton seeds, he said.

Based on their information, police on Thursday arrested Shaym Deshpande (59), the Krushi Kendra proprietor, and his associate Rushikesh More, a resident of Dhamangaon Railway in Amravati district.

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Deshpande is the alleged kingpin of the state-wide racket that was involved in selling bogus cotton seeds to farmers, Aayare said.