Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 23: The Bengaluru police have arrested seven suspects, including a serving constable as well as former and current employees of Cash Management Services (CMS), in connection with the sensational Rs 7.11-crore cash van heist that unfolded in broad daylight earlier this week. A total of Rs 6.29 crore has been recovered so far, while three more suspects remain on the run.
Among those arrested is Annappa Naik, a police constable attached to Govindapura police station, who has been suspended with immediate effect following revelations of his alleged involvement.
From left: Annappa Naik, Xavier and Gopi
DCP (East Division) Devraj issued the suspension order after investigations indicated that Naik not only shared information with the gang but also helped them prepare for the crime.
Bengaluru city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh has since directed all divisions to intensify monitoring of PSIs, ASIs, head constables and constables, emphasising the need to curb insider collusion.
The seventh and most recent arrest is that of Rakesh, who was picked up in Bengaluru late on Saturday night. He is said to be related to Ravi, the alleged mastermind behind the heist, who had earlier been taken into custody.
“The suspect was arrested in Bengaluru on Saturday night. Further recovery is yet to be made,” said DCP (South Division) Lokesh B. Jagalasar while confirming the development.
Investigators have identified the key figures behind the heist as Ravi, described as the operational head of the gang and the son of an ex-serviceman, along with his close associates Naveen and Nelson. Ravi’s brother is also believed to have participated but remains absconding.
The group received crucial inside support from two men with intimate knowledge of CMS operations: Gopi, a current CMS fleet manager, and Xavier, a former CMS employee who had spent seven years with the company. Gopi allegedly provided the route map of the van, details of its stops, staff deployment and the amount of cash being transported.
Xavier, whose long experience at CMS gave him detailed knowledge of cash movement schedules and security protocols, is suspected to have guided the gang on exploiting vulnerabilities and is believed to have a history of involvement in criminal activity. His close association with Annappa Naik further strengthened the gang’s access to sensitive information.
Police sources say the motive behind the heist was rooted in severe financial distress. Many members of the gang were unemployed and heavily indebted, often due to gambling, and believed that a single high-reward operation would help “settle their lives”.
The group planned the operation for more than three months, dividing themselves into planning and operational units. They conducted multiple reconnaissance missions, posed as RBI officials to intercept the van and meticulously avoided digital footprints after the robbery by abandoning mobile phones, switching vehicles, altering routes and stopping only in CCTV shadow zones.
Despite their efforts to cover their tracks, a special team of 200 police personnel cracked the case within 54 hours. Investigators relied on call detail records, CCTV footage of vehicle movements and other technical evidence to trace the suspects and recover a substantial portion of the stolen cash.
The search continues for the remaining absconders as the investigation widens to uncover all accomplices linked to the heist.