Belagavi Police Team Investigates Alleged Rs 400 Crore Heist in Nashik

Belagavi: A team of Belagavi police officers, including a sub-inspector, has been dispatched to Nashik, Maharashtra, to gather detailed information related to the alleged Rs 400 crore loot at Chorla Ghat in Belagavi district.

On January 6, the Nashik police wrote to the Belagavi police seeking cooperation in the investigation into an alleged looting of demonetized currency notes, purportedly carried out on October 22, 2025. The case originated from a complaint filed by Sandeep Patil, a real estate agent, at a Nashik police station on January 1.

According to the complaint, around Rs 400 crore in demonetized currency was allegedly transported from Goa to an ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, through Karnataka in two containers. The complainant claimed that the containers were intercepted at Chorla Ghat, where the cash was looted. He also alleged that he was abducted and assaulted on suspicion of knowing about the operation.

Based on the complaint, Maharashtra police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which arrested four people in connection with the alleged abduction. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Belagavi Superintendent of Police (SP) K Ramarajan said that police met the complainant in Nashik and collected preliminary information.

However, Maharashtra police did not yet permit the Belagavi team to question the four accused. SP Ramarajan said the alleged Rs 400 crore heist is currently based solely on the complainant's statement. 'Neither the complainant nor any other person claims to have witnessed the incident. So far, there is no identified victim, and no independent evidence to establish the movement of such containers through multiple police stations and checkposts,' he added.

Ramarajan further clarified that no FIR was registered by the Belagavi police so far. 'To initiate a formal investigation, registration of an FIR is mandatory. The location where the incident is claimed to have occurred lies at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. Given the media attention and the request from the Nashik police, we are verifying the facts. As of now, no credible information was received from the Maharashtra police,' SP Ramarajan stated.

The Belagavi police team will continue their efforts to gather more information and verify the claims to ensure a thorough and fair investigation.