The Bengaluru police Saturday foiled a dacoity attempt, recovered Rs 1.01 crore in cash, and arrested eight suspects within 15 minutes of receiving intimation of the crime.
Seemant Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru city, announced the arrest on Sunday.
The arrested accused have been identified as Narasimha, 34, a car driver from JP Nagar; Jeevan, 27, a gym trainer from Begur; Kishore M, 30, a labourer from Anekal; Venkataraju, 28, a waterboy from Anekal; Chandiran, 33, an auto driver from Kalasipalya; Kumar N, 36, a security guard from Anekal; Ravi Kiran, 33, a security guard from Begur; and Naman, 18, a milk seller from Ellenahalli.
The police said one Hemant, a driver from Tumkur, reached Akshay Nagar around 6 pm to collect a substantial cash payment on the instructions of his employer, a dealer of areca nuts. Hemant met real estate dealer Mota Ram and his wife Lakshmi Devi to receive Rs 1.01 crore cash related to a recent property transaction. The couple was carrying the money in two bags inside their vehicle.
(Express Photo)
What appeared to be a routine business exchange quickly turned dangerous when two miscreants suddenly appeared, claiming they needed to inspect the victims’ vehicles. The attackers photographed the victims and, when questioned about their authority, allegedly assaulted both Lakshmi and Hemant. The three victims managed to lock themselves up in their car and attempted to flee the scene.
However, the suspects pursued them, forcing the vehicle to take a detour through a deserted area. Once cornered, Hemant and Ram were forced out of the car while Lakshmi remained inside with the cash. The situation escalated when other accused arrived, and Hemant was assaulted.
The gang confined all three victims in a shed for about two hours. They demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh ransom for the victims’ release. One suspect provided Hemant with a mobile phone, instructing him to contact his boss to arrange the ransom.
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However, Hemant used the opportunity to alert his boss, who then contacted Assistant Commissioner of Police Subramanyapura. Thereafter, within 15 minutes of receiving the alert, a police team reached the location, apprehended all suspects, rescued the victims, and recovered the entire amount.