Belagavi's Rs 400-Crore Demonetised Currency Heist: Fact or Fiction?
Investigating agencies in Belagavi district are 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 logistical, legal, and factual gaps continue to emerge in the narrative.
The Alleged Incident and Initial Complaint
The complaint was filed by Sandeep Patil, a resident of Nashik, who asserted that two container trucks transporting demonetised currency from Goa to Gujarat were intercepted and looted in the forested stretch of Chorla Ghat in Belagavi district. However, a week after the "incident" came to light, it remains shrouded in mystery, with missing containers, currency sans value, and numerous unanswered questions.
Key Investigative Concerns and Contradictions
Investigators have identified several major inconsistencies in the claim:
- Route Anomalies: Officials question why vehicles travelling from Goa to Gujarat would opt for the narrow and hazardous Chorla Ghat route through Belagavi when a shorter and safer highway via Maharashtra is readily available.
- Surveillance Challenges: The ghat section is under heavy surveillance, with multiple police and excise check-posts across three jurisdictions and extensive CCTV coverage, making it highly unlikely that two large containers could pass unnoticed.
- Motive Absence: A critical concern is the absence of motive, as the currency allegedly involved belongs to the 2016 demonetised series, which no longer holds legal tender value. A senior official noted, "The risk-to-reward ratio makes no sense. There is no functional market for demonetised notes that would justify a high-stakes highway robbery."
Inconsistencies in Statements and Evidence
Investigators have flagged significant inconsistencies in Sandeep Patil's statements, with the claimed amount fluctuating between Rs 400 crore and Rs 1,000 crore. Patil admitted that he did not witness the alleged heist, stating his claim was based on a conversation overheard while being kidnapped by four individuals.
Maharashtra police have arrested four persons in connection with a kidnapping case, but officials clarified that these arrests do not relate to any currency robbery. To date, no containers or demonetised notes have been recovered, further casting doubt on the veracity of the claim.
Official Statements and Current Status
Belagavi SP K Ramarajan emphasized that the case is currently based on hearsay. "We initiated an inquiry after media reports surfaced and sent a team to Nashik to meet the complainant. As of now, nothing concrete has emerged," he stated.
The SP added that a formal FIR would be required to expand the probe, but even the basic claim about the existence of the containers remains unverified. The alleged incident is said to have occurred in October, yet no owner, transporter, or consignee has come forward, leaving investigators to grapple with a tale that may be more fiction than fact.
