Rs 3.51 Crore heist in Kalahandi: Know who was mastermind of the crime

The Income Tax department will probe to ascertain the source of seized money. A former staffer of the illegal country-made liquor manufacturing unit was involved in the loot of huge cash amounting to Rs 3.51 crore, which took place earlier on the night of January 30 under Dharmagarh police limits of Kalahandi district, an official source said.

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The former staffer identified as Anuj Kumar was the orchestrator of the plot. A criminal gang from neighbouring Jharkhand allegedly carried out the robbery on the intervening night, wielding weapons to intimidate other staff of the unit and make off with the vast sum.

The unusual presence of such a large cash reserve in the liquor unit has further led to the Income Tax department launching an investigation. A police probe is underway.

“Since this was a case of heist, our first targets were to nab the dacoits and recover the looted money. Now, the question before us is how such a huge amount of cash was kept in the country-made liquor manufacturing unit,” South Western Range IG of Police (IGP) Niti Shekhar said in a presser.

“Our probe will now proceed in this direction. The source of seized money will be verified, whether it came from the sales proceeds or were illegally amassed. Income Tax department will be duly informed seeking their involvement,” the senior cop expressed.

Worth mentioning, the swift police operation, involving forces from 11 districts, succeeded in recovering the stolen money within 24 hours, prompting discussions about the security protocols at the illegal liquor manufacturing unit in Dharmagarh.

At least eight persons were previously arrested in connection with the dacoity.

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Police have seized cash amounting to Rs 3.51 crore from their possession along with several weapons and other articles. All the arrested criminals hail from Jharkhand.

The suspects had attempted to flee the scene in an SUV bearing a Jharkhand registration number. The vehicle was later intercepted and two accused were initially nabbed.