Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 23: In a shocking incident, a group of robbers who looted Rs 1 crore were offered triple the amount to keep the crime under wraps.
The case pertains to a robbery at the house of beedi businessman Sulaiman in Bolanthoor's Narsh. The robbers posed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, raided the house, and made away with a huge sum of cash. As the investigation unfolds, several startling details have emerged.
Robbed businessman hands over more cash in fear
Disguised as ED officers, the robbers managed to seize around Rs 1 crore during their fake raid. Fearing legal trouble, the businessman reportedly handed over an additional sum of over Rs 3 crore, which was kept inside a sack in the house, requesting them to end the matter there itself. This meant the robbers left with much more money than they had initially targeted. The family, believing it to be a genuine ED raid, did not suspect anything amiss.
Robbers linked to officials and criminals
One of the arrested suspects, Abdul Nasir from Kannur, is reportedly a notorious individual with links to both law enforcement and criminals. Sources reveal that despite being originally from Kerala, Nasir maintained close ties with several high-ranking officials in both Kerala and Karnataka. He was known for passing information to the police as well as to organized crime groups.
Nasir is said to have orchestrated the robbery by using Iqbal from BC Road Parlia and gathering inside information from Sirajuddin, a worker at the businessman's house. Based on the location details sent by Sirajuddin, the gang made their way to Bolanthoor. Reports indicate that the robbers had visited the area multiple times before executing the crime to familiarize themselves with the roads and surroundings.
If the robbers had taken the mobile phones, the crime might have gone undetected
The gang, posing as ED officers, carried out the raid on the night of January 3 and even collected the mobile phones of the family members at the beginning of their operation. Before leaving, they told the family that their phones could be retrieved from a hotel in BC Road.
Believing this, Sulaiman’s son followed them, but the robbers managed to escape. It was only after calling Sulaiman’s phone from another number and realizing it was switched off that the family became suspicious and alerted the police.
Locals believe that if the robbers had taken the phones with them, no one would have suspected that the raid was fake. However, instead of carrying the phones away, they removed the SIM cards, damaged the devices, and discarded them on the house’s rooftop.
The police are continuing their investigation into the case.