Gang busted for ₹24 lakh robbery; 9 arrested

The Devanahalli Police have arrested nine members of a gang who allegedly posed as officials of a “Human Rights Protection and Anti-Corruption Squad” to rob a 50-year-old businessman of ₹24 lakh in cash near Devanahalli earlier this month.

According to the police, the incident occurred on February 13 around 10 a.m. The complainant, K. Shankarappa, a resident of Virgonagar, had reportedly arranged ₹24 lakh after being assured of receiving ₹90 lakh in return as part of a financial deal.

As per the complaint, the accused arrived in a car bearing a board reading “Human Rights Protection and Anti-Corruption Squad” and questioned the complainant about the source of the cash. Threatening him, they allegedly seized the ₹24 lakh in cash and fled the spot. Based on CCTV footage, technical evidence, and call data records, police launched an investigation and arrested the accused in phases between February 13 and 17.

The accused have been identified as C. Krishnakumar Reddy (50), a private bank employee from Yelahanka Old Town, S. Ahmed Shariff (48), a real estate agent from Sulibele, Venugopal (49), a petty shop owner from Bagepalli, allegedly a habitual offender with three criminal cases pending against him, Sampagirama (47), a real estate agent and cook from Amruthahalli, Narayana Swamy (52), a municipality worker from Shidlaghatta, Shivakumar K.V. (42), a mixer repair mechanic and driver from Ganjigunte, Chintamani, T.V. Murugeshan (65), a mason from Madanapalli, Andhra Pradesh, Malayam Latif (53), a real estate businessman from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh and Venkatesh (57), a cab driver from Avalahalli, Bengaluru city.

The police said they have recovered ₹14.6 lakh in cash, two cars worth approximately ₹8 lakh, and 13 mobile phones valued at around ₹1.4 lakh from the accused. One of the vehicles used in the crime bore a fake board displaying the name of the so-called squad.

The arrested accused were produced before a jurisdictional court, which remanded them to judicial custody. Efforts are under way to trace the remaining absconding suspects. Further investigation is in progress. The police are further investigating to ascertain their criminal background and whether the accused were involved in similar crimes before.