Belagavi's Rs 400-Crore Demonetised Currency Heist Claim Faces Mounting Investigation Doubts
Investigating agencies in Belagavi district are currently navigating a complex web of contradictions surrounding a sensational claim of a Rs 400-crore heist involving demonetised currency notes at Chorla Ghat. Officials are increasingly suspecting that the alleged "loot" may be entirely fictitious, as multiple logistical, legal, and factual gaps continue to surface in the investigation.
The Mysterious Complaint and Its Questionable Details
A week after the alleged incident came to public attention, the case remains shrouded in mystery with missing containers, currency that holds no legal value, and numerous unanswered questions. The complaint was filed by Sandeep Patil, a resident of Nashik, who claimed that two container trucks transporting demonetised currency from Goa to Gujarat were intercepted and looted in the forested stretch of Chorla Ghat within Belagavi district.
However, investigators have identified significant inconsistencies in this narrative. A senior official involved in the case highlighted the fundamental question of why vehicles traveling from Goa to Gujarat would choose the narrow and hazardous Chorla Ghat route through Belagavi when a shorter and safer highway via Maharashtra is readily available. This routing decision alone raises immediate red flags about the claim's validity.
Surveillance Challenges and Motive Questions
The Chorla Ghat section presents additional investigative concerns due to its extensive security infrastructure. The area operates under heavy surveillance with multiple police and excise check-posts spanning three different jurisdictions, complemented by comprehensive CCTV coverage. This security apparatus makes it highly improbable that two large container trucks could pass through unnoticed without triggering any alerts or leaving behind digital evidence.
Perhaps most compelling is the absence of a clear motive. The currency allegedly involved belongs to the 2016 demonetised series, which no longer holds any legal tender value in India. "The risk-to-reward ratio makes no sense," emphasized a senior investigation officer. "There is no functional market for demonetised notes that would justify a high-stakes highway robbery of this magnitude."
Inconsistent Statements and Investigation Status
Investigators have also flagged troubling inconsistencies in complainant Sandeep Patil's statements. The claimed amount has fluctuated significantly between Rs 400 crore and Rs 1,000 crore during different accounts of the alleged incident. Furthermore, Patil has admitted that he did not personally witness the supposed heist, stating instead that his claim was based on a conversation he overheard while being kidnapped by four individuals.
Maharashtra police have indeed arrested four persons in connection with this case, but officials have clarified that these arrests relate specifically to a kidnapping investigation and not to any currency robbery. To date, no containers or demonetised notes have been recovered, and no owner, transporter, or consignee has come forward regarding the alleged October incident.
Official Statements and Current Investigation Status
Belagavi Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan provided crucial insight into the investigation's current standing. "We initiated an inquiry after media reports surfaced and sent a team to Nashik to meet the complainant," he stated. "As of now, nothing concrete has emerged from our preliminary investigations."
The SP further explained that the case currently rests on hearsay evidence, with even the basic claim about the existence of the containers remaining unverified. While a formal First Information Report would be required to expand the probe substantially, the foundational elements of the alleged crime continue to lack substantiation, leaving investigators to question whether this sensational claim represents reality or fabrication.
