Two Trucks, Rs 400 Crore Gone: Karnataka’s Money Heist Surfaces After 3 Months

What probably is the largest Money Heist in recent times in India, took place between the borders of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra in October 2025. The biggest irony of this case is that this entire robbery

was planned so perfectly and nobody knew about the missing loads of money for months.

400 crore rupees worth cash disappeared into thin air in two large containers right under the nose of security forces and law and order units of three states. A kidnapping case brought the heist into frontline.

A high-stakes investigation involving a reported disappearance of approximately Rs 400 crore in cash has been launched by police across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. The case centers on two container trucks allegedly carrying withdrawn Rs 2000 denomination notes that were reported missing near Chorla Ghat, a dense forest area in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district that connects the three states.

While the alleged heist took place in late October 2025, the incident remained undisclosed for over two months. It only surfaced after a complaint was filed in Maharashtra involving kidnapping and illegal confinement.

Investigation Triggered by Kidnapping Complaint

The case came to light after Sandeep Patil, a 35-year-old real estate agent from Nashik, approached the Nashik Rural Police on January 1, 2026. Patil alleged that he had been kidnapped, held captive for over a month, and assaulted by individuals who accused him of being responsible for the disappearance of the cash containers.

According to the complaint, Patil was abducted under the pretext of a meeting with an employer identified as Virat Gandhi. He claimed his captors pressured him to either locate the missing cash or provide Rs 100 crore in current currency as compensation. Patil eventually managed to escape and record a video statement before seeking police protection.

Details of the Alleged Cash Movement

Based on Patil’s statement, the containers were reportedly transporting the cash from Goa toward an ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The motive behind the secret transit was allegedly to exchange the withdrawn Rs 2000 notes for smaller legal tender on a commission basis.

The disappearance is said to have occurred around October 22, 2025. However, investigators are treating these claims with caution. Belagavi Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan recently clarified that there is currently no independent evidence, such as CCTV footage or eyewitness accounts at border check posts, to confirm that the containers actually passed through Karnataka.

Arrests and Key Suspects

Maharashtra police have arrested six individuals in connection with the kidnapping and assault, including Jayesh Kadam, Vishal Naidu, and Virat Gandhi. The investigation is now focused on Kishore Savla, a Thane-based builder who is believed to be a central figure in the incident and is currently absconding.

The Special Investigation Team is working to determine if the reported Rs 400 crore actually existed or if the kidnapping was part of a different financial dispute.

Multi-State Coordination and Verification

Belagavi police have sent a team to Nashik to verify the details provided by the complainant. As of now, no formal theft or heist case has been registered in Karnataka, as the local police await concrete proof that a crime occurred within their jurisdiction.

Goa police are also verifying the source of the alleged cash and the logistics of how such a large consignment could have been prepared for transport. Investigators are examining whether the money was intended for use in upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra.

The case remains one of the most complex inter-state financial investigations in recent years. Authorities have emphasized that the exact amount of cash and the reality of the heist are still under verification. The focus remains on tracking the absconding suspects and finding documentary evidence of the container movement to validate the complainant’s story.