In a startling discovery, the police have found that two gangsters owing allegiance to gangster-turned-MLA Arun Gawli were members of the Union Food and Civil Supplies Ministry's Task Force on Food Processing, prompting them to start an enquiry into the matter.

I-Cards saying they were members of the task force on food processing in Maharashtra have been found from the possession of Gawli's younger brother Vijay Ahir and one more gang member Suhas Roge, the police said.

"We are surprised as to why multiple persons from the same gang have secured a membership of the task force. We have initiated a detailed investigation in the matter and a team will be going to Delhi for inquiries on Monday," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told reporters.

The police had found the I-Card from Ahir's possession while investigating in a case of extortion while in Roge's case, they stumbled upon the documents while probing an application made by a city-based gambling den operator.

Ahir has been booked under stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case of extortion filed by a city-based developer.