CID inspector arrested for allegedly masterminding Rs 20 lakh robbery

Police alleged CID Inspector Mahesh Kanakagiri masterminded a Rs 20 lakh robbery at a Madiwala hotel targeting two Kerala youths, with his role emerging after accomplices were arrested.

In Short

• Gang posed as police officers and targeted hotel guests carrying cash
• Accused allegedly assaulted victims before fleeing with stolen money
• Police recovered entire robbed amount and launched further investigation

A police inspector attached to the CID in Bengaluru has been arrested for his alleged role in a Rs 20 lakh robbery in which a gang posing as police officers targeted a group staying at a hotel, police said on Saturday.

Police said Inspector Mahesh Kanakagiri was allegedly the mastermind behind the robbery. His alleged involvement came to light after the arrest of his accomplices, identified as Kupendra Reddy and Vasanth Kumar.

The incident took place on Thursday at a hotel in Madiwala, where two youths from Kerala were staying and were reportedly carrying Rs 20 lakh in cash.

According to police, a group of people arrived there claiming to be police personnel, showed identity cards and questioned the youths about the source of the money, alleging that they were involved in money trading.

Police said the suspects then demanded that the cash be handed over to them and fled with the amount. They had allegedly come in a jeep parked outside the hotel and escaped in the same vehicle. After realising they had been duped, the victims lodged a complaint at the Madiwala police station.

A senior police officer said the complainant told investigators that his friend had informed him about investing money in trading for high returns, and that was why he had brought Rs 20 lakh in cash. The accused had hatched a conspiracy, assaulted the victim and carried out the robbery, the officer said.

Police said the entire robbed amount has been recovered and further investigation is underway. The case centres on a gang posing as police officials, with a serving inspector now among those arrested.

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