Nagpur: A notorious criminal allegedly accused a 25-year-old man of selling MD (mephedrone) and used the pretext to assault and rob him of ₹9,500 near the Ganga Jamuna area in Nagpur in the early hours of October 11. The accused allegedly struck the victim on the head with a stone before fleeing with cash and a mobile phone.

According to Lakadganj police, the complainant was travelling with two friends when three men approached them near Cement Road around 12.30 am. The accused allegedly accused them of coming to the area to sell MD and began checking the complainant’s pockets.

The accused then allegedly picked a fight with the trio, abused them and assaulted them with fists. During the attack, Sameer Sanjay Sheikh, 25, a resident near Balaji Temple on Itwari Road, allegedly picked up a roadside stone and struck the complainant on the head.

Sheikh and his accomplices allegedly snatched ₹500 in cash and a Vivo mobile phone worth ₹9,000 from the victim before fleeing. The total value of the stolen property was ₹9,500.

The injured man was treated at Mayo Hospital, following which Lakadganj police registered a case based on his complaint. Police records show that Sheikh has several previous criminal cases registered against him, including cases involving theft, assault and offences under the Arms Act.

Further investigation is underway.