The arrest in Punjab of a popular wrestler from Maharashtra has triggered calls from his family and both the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and NCP (SP) for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to step in amid allegations of sporting rivalry playing a role in the incident.

A talented mud-wrestler in the “dangal” circuit, Sikander Shaikh (26) was arrested in Mohali last week, along with two alleged gangsters from UP with police claiming that they recovered five pistols, live cartridges, cash and two vehicles in the operation. Another alleged gangster from Punjab was held in the same case later, they said.

According to Mohali police, Shaikh was arrested along with the two from UP at Airport Chowk when he was allegedly purchasing the weapons for a local network.

Shaikh, who hails from Mohol in Solapur, wo

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