In a breakthrough, Malur police have apprehended 12 suspects linked to the recent armed robbery at the Uttaradi Mutt in Mahishi, Thirthahalli taluk. Authorities revealed that a total of 21 individuals were involved in the heist, and efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining nine.

Law enforcement officials confiscated two vehicles valued at ₹5 lakh along with the weapons used in the assault. During a press briefing on Friday evening, Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar disclosed that the gang had aimed for a staggering ₹300 crore but fled with only ₹50,000 in hand.

The incident occurred on April 5 around 9:30 pm. The gang forcibly entered the religious premises, intimidated the priests and staff with blunt weapons including sticks and maces, and escaped with cash, CCTV devices, laptops, and mobile phones.

Those arrested hail from Shikaripur, Anandpur, and Hosanagar in Shivamogga district. The accused include Nerale Suresh, Satish, Prithviraj, Srikanth, Abhi, Rakesh, Chitte Bharat, Gidda Pawan, Ramesh, Naveen, Darshan, and Karibasappa.

As per the SP, Suresh and Satish from Ripponpet got wind of alleged ₹300 crore in unaccounted funds at the mutt a month prior. They roped in carpenter Prithviraj and others to form a gang. The group conducted multiple reconnaissance visits before launching the operation.

Eighteen men travelled in a tempo via various villages and reached the mutt by nightfall. In a recent encounter, absconding accused Srinivas was shot in the leg and captured. He also faces charges of murder and POCSO offences, as does Prithviraj.

Additional SP A G Cariappa and DySP Aravind Kalagujji attended the media interaction.

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