'Kidnapped' with Bengaluru bizman, driver turns out to be mastermind behind Rs 1 crore heist

BENGALURU: Five men, including a businessman’s driver, were arrested on charges of looting over Rs 1 crore from the businessman at Madanayakanahalli, north-west Bengaluru, earlier this month.The accused are car driver Chetan Kumar and his associates, Soma, Basava, Vinay Kumar and Surya. Police are looking for five more suspects, who are on the run. Cops recovered Rs 85 lakh from the accused, who had hidden the cash in bundles in different places.On the midnight of June 14, a gang of 10 men robbed the cash from Shivashankar after blocking his car near Kuduregere in Madanayakanahalli. The miscreants forcibly bundled Shivashankar and driver Chetan Kumar into another car and took them to a desolate place.

After taking the cash, they drove away, leaving the two behind.Probe revealed Chetan had tipped off his friends, saying his employer was carrying cash in the car. for business purposes.police said, “Earlier, Chetan and Surya hatched the conspiracy. Chetan was aware that Shivashankar, who was planning to start a new business, was collecting cash for the purpose. On June 11, Shivashankar collected Rs 35 lakh in cash at home. Again on June 14, he collected Rs 74 lakh more.""Knowing about the cash, Chetan alerted Surya and others. Chetan called Surya just before starting the vehicle that night. As planned, miscreants blocked the vehicle near Kuduregere,” police added.