In a daring heist in Bolanthur, Bantwal, a group impersonating Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials looted ₹30 lakh from a businessman’s home. Seven suspects, including the mastermind—Kerala assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Shafeer Babu—have been arrested, but ₹25 lakh remains untraced.

The first accused, Anil Fernandes from Kollam, Kerala, was arrested 20 days after the crime while working in Bengaluru. Police seized ₹5 lakh and a Maruti Ertiga. However, apart from another recovered vehicle, no further cash has been found.

Although ASI Babu wasn’t present during the crime, he meticulously trained and coordinated the gang, even traveling to Mangaluru to establish local contacts. Among those nabbed, Sachin, Shabin, and Anil Fernandes were directly involved. Three more suspects are still at large, prompting intensified police operations in Kerala.

Superintendent of Police Yathish N confirmed that Babu’s interrogation is ongoing, and authorities are confident of recovering the missing amount soon.