The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested five men based on a complaint filed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman's son that Rs 5.5 lakh was stolen from his house when he away on a business tour. But a surprise lay in store for the police: the actual sum stolen was a staggering Rs 3.5 crore.
Vinay, son of KSPCB chairman Lakshman, had filed a complaint at the Kamakshipalya police station that Rs 5.5 lakh was stolen from his house on Magadi Road, west Bengaluru. Vinay, who is a builder, stated that he learnt about the burglary upon his return from a business tour on August 29. He had found the cupboard broken and the cash missing.
Meet with CM
The KSPCB chairman then met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and informed him about the crime. On September 2, the CCB took over the investigation, a senior police officer said. Swinging into action, CCB sleuths checked the footage of CCTV cameras installed at the house and nearby, and arrested one Yogesh. The suspect confessed to the crime and also spilled the beans on his accomplices.
The CCB then arrested four more people — Chethan, son of a constable, Vasudev, son of a retired head constable, Punith and Chudamni, from Magadi Road. But when the sleuths sought to recover the stolen money, they stumbled upon Rs 1 crore in cash.
Surprise recovery
Surprised by the recovery, they quizzed the suspects who then revealed that they had actually stolen Rs 3.5 crore. Three more men are likely to be arrested in the case, the officer said. Another officer who is part of the investigation said they questioned Vinay on the recovered money. The sleuths also questioned people who regularly visited his house. It then emerged that Vinay's manager had kept the "excess" money in the cupboard without informing him. "The manager had kept the money for business purpose. Vinay has provided the necessary documents for the cash," the officer said.
Vinay, son of KSPCB chairman Lakshman, had filed a complaint at the Kamakshipalya police station that Rs 5.5 lakh was stolen from his house on Magadi Road, west Bengaluru. Vinay, who is a builder, stated that he learnt about the burglary upon his return from a business tour on August 29. He had found the cupboard broken and the cash missing.
Meet with CM
The KSPCB chairman then met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and informed him about the crime. On September 2, the CCB took over the investigation, a senior police officer said. Swinging into action, CCB sleuths checked the footage of CCTV cameras installed at the house and nearby, and arrested one Yogesh. The suspect confessed to the crime and also spilled the beans on his accomplices.
The CCB then arrested four more people — Chethan, son of a constable, Vasudev, son of a retired head constable, Punith and Chudamni, from Magadi Road. But when the sleuths sought to recover the stolen money, they stumbled upon Rs 1 crore in cash.
Surprise recovery
Surprised by the recovery, they quizzed the suspects who then revealed that they had actually stolen Rs 3.5 crore. Three more men are likely to be arrested in the case, the officer said. Another officer who is part of the investigation said they questioned Vinay on the recovered money. The sleuths also questioned people who regularly visited his house. It then emerged that Vinay's manager had kept the "excess" money in the cupboard without informing him. "The manager had kept the money for business purpose. Vinay has provided the necessary documents for the cash," the officer said.