An investigation has debunked the claim of a ₹400 crore robbery in Belagavi district, exposing major flaws in the complaint filed by a Maharashtra-based real estate agent.
Nearly four months after alleging that demonetised currency worth ₹400 crore was looted from two container trucks at Chorla Ghat in a multi-state operation, technical inquiries found serious inconsistencies in the account. After evidence was submitted before the Igatpuri court in Nashik on Saturday, the case collapsed, and all seven accused were acquitted.
The complaint, filed by Nashik resident Sandeep Patil, was found to be false. Police said investigations revealed contradictions in the location of the incident, travel route, call records, timings, and schedule. External agencies also confirmed that no such robbery had occurred during the relevant period.
According to officials, Patil approached Nashik police on January 1, 2026, alleging kidnapping, assault, and threats. He claimed the incident took place on October 22, 2025, near Chorla Ghat along the Maharashtra–Karnataka border, and that the cash was being transported from Goa to an ashram in Ahmedabad via Karnataka in two containers.
He further alleged that the vehicles were intercepted and the money looted, and that he was later abducted and assaulted for having knowledge of the operation. A Maharashtra SIT investigated the case for nearly a month, with Nashik police seeking assistance from Karnataka authorities to verify details.
On Saturday, the court acquitted Kishore Sawala, Virat Gandhi, Jayesh Kadam, Vishal Naidu, Sunil Dhumal, Machhindra Madhavi, and Janardhan Dhaygude, citing lack of credible evidence. The order followed a review of digital records, the sequence of events, and the prosecution’s failure to substantiate the charges.
Police sources said attention has now shifted to possible legal action against Patil for filing a complaint that kept the police engaged for nearly a month.
