Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 18: In the high-profile robbery case in Bolanthur, Bantwal, where imposters posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials looted Rs 30 lac from a businessman’s residence, the police have arrested seven individuals, including the prime suspect— a Kerala assistant sub-inspector (ASI). However, only Rs 5 lac has been recovered so far, while Rs 25 lakh remains unaccounted for.
Police arrested the first accused, Anil Fernandes from Kollam, Kerala, 20 days after the crime. He was employed at a private company in Bengaluru at the time of his arrest. During the operation, officers seized Rs 5 lac in cash and a Maruti Ertiga car. Apart from another vehicle recovered later, no additional cash has been traced.
Though the robbery’s mastermind was the Kerala ASI, he was not physically present during the crime. Instead, he provided extensive training to the gang and guided them on executing the heist. Before the robbery, he reportedly travelled to Mangaluru and coordinated with local contacts to facilitate the operation.
Among those arrested, three—Sachin, Shabin, and Anil Fernandes, all from Kollam—were directly involved in the robbery. However, three more suspects are still at large. Officials believe that the remaining Rs 25 lac might be recovered only after their arrest. As a result, district police teams have intensified their search operations in Kerala.
The prime suspect, ASI Shafeer Babu, is currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation. Investigators believe his arrest marks a crucial turning point in the case and expect to nab the remaining culprits soon.
“So far, we have recovered Rs 5 lac in cash. The ASI is being interrogated under police custody, and our investigation continues to trace the remaining amount and apprehend the other suspects,” said Yathish N, Dakshina Kannada superintendent of police.