Uttara Kannada: The mysterious case of a car found abandoned in the Ramanguli forests near Ankola in late January 2025 has now been confirmed as a dacoity, dismissing earlier speculation of a hawala transaction.
Police discovered the vehicle containing a cash box along the route between Gullapura and Yellapur. Investigations revealed that a group of armed robbers pursued and looted ₹1.7 crore in cash being transported for a jeweller from Dakshina Kannada.
According to driver Mohammed Issac, 42, he was instructed by Akash, the jeweller’s assistant, to deliver gold to a Belagavi-based client, Sachin Jadhav, and collect the payment. On January 27, accompanied by Abdul Samad, Issac transported the gold, which was securely placed in hidden compartments beneath the car seats. After delivering the jewellery, they received ₹2.95 crore in cash and began their return journey.
Around 4 PM, a vehicle intercepted them, and five armed men smashed the car’s windows, seized the keys, and forced Samad into their car. Issac was blindfolded as the gang looted the cash lockers, leaving only ₹5 lakh scattered at the site. After freeing himself, Issac secured the remaining cash and traveled back to Mangaluru, where he handed it over to his friend for safekeeping.
The abandoned vehicle was later recovered from Ramanguli, while Samad was released in an isolated area. Investigations are ongoing to track down the culprits.
Read Also: