A dramatic police operation spanning multiple states has led to the arrest of two men accused of stealing Rs 45 lakh in cash from a Mumbai Chartered Accountant (CA). The Govandi police, aided by intelligence inputs and covert field work, traced the suspects to Bihar and recovered Rs 36,35,600 in cash.

According to the police, the complainant is a CA residing at Bhakti Park, Wadala, named Tejprakash Dangi, 58, who had employed drivers named Nitesh Kumar Mahato and his cousin Rahul Kumar Mahato. The drivers allegedly made off with a bag containing R45 lakh, kept in trust in the complainant’s car. 

The incident took place on September 19 at around 8 pm and soon after it, the CA approached the Govandi police and lodged an FIR.

Under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Pandharinath Sawant, a special team comprising the detection unit and other police officers was formed to swiftly launch the investigation. 

Following preliminary inquiries, the team conducted extensive searches across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, which ultimately led them to Samastipur district in Bihar, where the duo was hiding. 

The operation involved six days of field surveillance combined with technical investigation before both accused were finally apprehended.

From their custody, Rs 36,35,600 of the stolen amount was retrieved, which was stored by the accused, said police, adding that the duo were then brought to Mumbai in transit remand and a city-based court remanded them in police custody for further investigation. 

The remaining amount is missing, hence they will be questioned to trace the trail of money being spent, said an officer. 

According to Dangi’s statement to the police, Nitesh Kumar had been employed as a driver for eight months and had earned his trust. He later recommended his cousin Rahul Kumar, who was then hired as a peon. The duo was living in a rented room in Shantinagar, Wadala, for three months prior to the theft. 

Source