Belagavi: Nearly four months after a Maharashtra real estate agent’s sensational claim that Rs 400 crore in demonetised currency was looted from two container trucks in Chorla Ghat of Belagavi district in a multi-state operation, the case fell flat after technical investigations found major discrepancies in his version.Following submission of evidence before the Igatpuri court in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Saturday, the complaint filed by Nashik resident Sandeep Patil was found to be false, leading to the acquittal of all seven arrested suspects.Police probe found inconsistencies in the alleged incident’s location, travel route, call detail records, timing, and schedule. External agencies also informed police that no such robbery took place during the period under review.According to police sources, Patil complained to Nashik police on Jan 1, 2026, alleging kidnapping, assault and threats to his life. In his complaint, Patil claimed the looting incident took place on Oct 22, 2025, in the Chorla Ghat area of Belagavi district, along the Maharashtra–Karnataka border.The complaint alleges Rs 400 crore was being transported from Goa to an ashram in Ahmedabad via Karnataka in two containers. These containers were allegedly intercepted at Chorla Ghat, where the cash was looted. Patil further claimed that he was abducted and assaulted on suspicion that he knew about the alleged operation.The Maharashtra SIT conducted a probe for nearly a month. Nashik police sought cooperation of Belagavi police in the investigation in collecting detailed information about the alleged incident.On Saturday, the court acquitted Kishore Sawala, Virat Gandhi, Jayesh Kadam, Vishal Naidu, Sunil Dhumal, Machhindra Madhavi, and Janardhan Dhaygude, citing lack of concrete evidence. The court passed the order after examining the sequence of events and digital evidence, and the failure of the prosecution to establish the allegations against the accused.Now, attention has shifted to likely legal action against Patil for his complaint that kept police machinery engaged for nearly a month.
