Belagavi, 25 Jan

The Maharashtra police have sought assistance from the State police in connection with a robbery involving defunct Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes worth about Rs 400 crore, allegedly one of the country’s largest such cases.

The incident is said to have occurred on 16 October 2025, at Chorla Ghat in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, but surfaced only on 1 January 2026, after Sandeep Patil complained to the Nashik police.

According to investigators, the cash belonged to Maharashtra-based real estate businessman Kishor Sait and was being transported in two container vehicles from Maharashtra to Goa. Patil alleged that some aides of Sait kidnapped him at gunpoint and forced him to pay the entire amount. He was later released and filed the complaint.

Confirming the development, Belagavi Superintendent of Police K Ramrajan said his department had received a formal request from the Nashik police for assistance. “With coordination among the Maharashtra and Goa police, the Belagavi police are undertaking a challenging task,” he said.

Despite the currency no longer being legal tender, Belagavi police have begun preliminary inquiries along the Chorla Ghat road.

Preliminary findings suggest the transporters may have handed over the cash without resistance, with no physical assault reported.

Maharashtra police sources said four persons have been detained and a search is on for two more suspects, and the case has been handed over to a Special InvestigationTeam.