Ullal: Masterminds of Kotekar Cooperative Bank robbery case arrested
Mangaluru: The Ullal police have arrested two more individuals in connection with the robbery at Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha Bank, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to six.
One of the accused has been identified as 69-year-old Bhaskar Belchappad, also known as Shashi Thevar, a resident of Kanyana. He was taken into custody near Bengaluru railway station on February 24. During interrogation, crucial details about the robbery came to light, leading the police to another suspect, Nazir, a resident of K.C. Road, who was arrested on February 25.
Investigations revealed that Shashi Thevar had been in contact with Nazir and had conspired with other accused for nearly six months to execute the heist. Nazir played a role by providing the gang with key information about the society’s building, security details, the date and time of the robbery, the number of staff members present, and possible escape routes.
The robbery took place at Kotekar Cooperative Bank on January 17, creating panic among the locals. The Ullal police had earlier arrested four accused in connection with the case.
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ED raids Kolkata Police deputy commissioner, businessman in PMLA probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a local businessman as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.
Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of the businessman named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kamdar has been taken by the officials to the local ED office for questioning. Biswas, chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises, they said.
The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.
The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.
The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations. The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.
Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run.
The ED has issued summons to Podder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.
West Bengal will have a two phase poll on April 23 and April 29.
