Title - Bootlegger couple keeps cops on toes

NAGPUR: A notorious couple, allegedly selling liquor near Nagpur railway station, has been giving tough time to the police. The couple, Feroze Khan and wife Rukhsar, having several offences against them has been continuing selling liquor illegally defying police action.On Sunday, too, sources claimed liquor was available through the racket outside the railway station despite it being a dry day due to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary. The racketeers are learnt to have made liquor available to prospective customers who contacted the right agent. It is learnt that the couple had been using RMS premises to stock liquor bottles. In order to dodge police, they would often occupy a place near the pan-kiosk on the footpath near Jai Stambh square without keeping any bottle in their own possession.The staffers from Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Sitabuldi police have been left hassled by the modus operandi of the couple. Apart from having a sizable team to operate their business, it is learnt that the coupe also often take the route of allegations and other manipulative resistance urging their female accomplices to scuffle with the cops to drag them into controversy.

It is learnt that Feroze has several offences including murder against him. It was fight for domination outside the railway premises that led to murder in which Feroze was likely involved. Unconfirmed sources said Feroze had grown close to some senior cops from Sitabuldi police during investigation of the murder in which he was booked. It After the murder case there was no action against him. Feroze had also been externed from city in 2009.

Rukhsar too has been booked in several offences which included assaults and threatening apart from cases made under Prohibition Act for selling liquor. It is learnt that the couple had once stormed into the Sitabuldi police station and assaulted a cop.

Senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, central railway, Ibrahim Sharif said the couple and their accomplices had been often caught and handed over to city police. "We have been co-ordinating with city police and trying to take action in turns. The couple had also made allegations against me before the court but it was not given much importance," said Sharif.