Pramesh S Jain
Insider job behind Rs.1.09 crore kidnap-and-robbery case”
The Madanayakanahalli police have cracked a sensational kidnap-and-robbery case in which a security agency owner was abducted at gunpoint and robbed of Rs.1.09 crore,arresting five accused and recovering Rs.85.5 lakh in cash along with two cars,three mobile phones and a toy pistol used in the crime.
Police Commissioner,Seemant Kumar Singh said several members of the gang are still absconding and efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.Police are also contemplating invoking the Goonda Act against the accused.
The case was registered at the Madanayakanahalli Police Station following a complaint by R.I.Shivashankar (41),owner of a private security agency.
Insider tipped off gang:
According to police,the robbery was the result of an insider conspiracy.One of the arrested accused was working for Shivashankar and allegedly informed his associates that his employer would be transporting a huge amount of cash.
Based on this information,the gang hatched a plan to intercept and rob the businessman.
Kidnapped at gunpoint:
The incident occurred on the night of June 15,after Shivashankar and his driver, Chethan, collected Rs.74 lakh during a business meeting in Yelahanka.
Near Kuduregere Colony in Dasanapura Hobli,the victims were intercepted by seven armed men travelling in an SUV and a motorcycle.
The gang allegedly threatened them with weapons, abducted them and forced the driver to take them to Shivashankar’s residence.
The accused then allegedly threatened the family and forced Shivashankar’s wife to hand over an additional ₹35 lakh,taking the total loot to Rs.1.09 crore before abandoning the victims in a secluded area near Nelamangala.
Five arrested,cash recovered:
Acting on technical evidence and intelligence inputs, police tracked down the accused in multiple operations between June 20 and June 24.
Investigators recovered:
Rs.85.5 lakh in cash,Two cars used in the crime,Three mobile phones,One toy pistol allegedly used to intimidate the victims
Police said part of the stolen money was recovered from the houses of the accused and their associates.
Money under scrutiny:
Investigators suspect the Rs.1.09 crore may itself be linked to another offence,and are probing the source of the cash.
The complainant,Shivashankar,is also being questioned regarding the origin of the money.Police said legal action will be initiated if any wrongdoing is found during the investigation.
Further investigation is underway to arrest the remaining absconding accused and unravel the larger conspiracy behind the robbery.
