Case of van carrying Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 400 cr: Cops launch manhunt into robbery along Maharashtra-Karnataka border

Mumbai: As the mystery deepened, the Special Investigation Team, which is probing a sensational kidnapping case linked to the alleged haul of demonetised Rs 2,000 notes valued at around Rs 400 crore has arrested five persons so far even as it widened the probe to investigate into the bigger ramifications of the case.

The Rs 2,000 currency note was withdrawn from circulation in May 2023, though it still has the status of a legal tender.

The incident dates back to 16 October 2025 when two container-trucks carrying a massive quantity of cash allegedly went missing in the forested and accident-prone Chorla Ghat stretch in Khanapur tehsil in Belagavi district on the tri-junction along the Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary.

The police of three neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa have jumped into the investigations.

A total of six persons have been arrested so far in the case.

According to reports, the money has originated from Karnataka and was destined for Gujarat and following conversion into other denominations to Maharashtra.

The complainant of the case is Sandeep Patil, a resident of Igatpuri, who claimed that he was abducted at gunpoint by associates of Kishor Sheth, who accused him of orchestrating the container heist.

Patil further claimed that he was detained for over a month’s time and was physically and mentally tortured asking to pay Rs 400 crore.

However, he managed to escape and complained to Nashik Rural police.

The six arrested persons were identified as — Jayesh Kadam, Vishal Naidu, Sunil Dhumal, Virat Gandhi, Janardan Dhaygude and Sayyed Azhar.

The Maharashtra police is coordinating with the police of Karnataka and Goa to take the case ahead.

Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil is coordinating the efforts.

“We are making investigations into the case,” Additional Superintendent of Police Aaditya Mirkhelkar told reporters.

Sawala is a builder from Thane while Virat Gandhi, a hawala operator based in Ahmedabad.

According to the investigations, the miscreants have targetted the two trucks along the Chorla Ghat jungles on the tri-junction of Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary.

A Thane-based builder has been named in the FIR, who is believed to have been the main beneficiary had the container reached the desired destinations.