Stamp vendor arrested for plotting robbery using fake police in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Police have cracked a sensational house robbery case in the city and arrested a stamp vendor who allegedly planned the crime by sending men dressed as fake police officers to loot his friend’s house.

The accused, identified as Bettegowda (52), was arrested by Byadarahalli Police Station officials for masterminding the robbery at the residence of his friend, Hombegowda, located in the BEL Layout.

According to police, Bettegowda allegedly targeted his friend after learning that Hombegowda had received a large amount of money from the sale of a site. Investigators said the accused contacted a man named Nagendra, who had recently been released from jail on parole, and asked him to carry out the robbery.

Nagendra reportedly arranged a police sub-inspector’s uniform from Shivajinagar, where such costumes are often rented for film shootings. Wearing the uniform, he entered Hombegowda’s house posing as a police officer and looted cash and gold ornaments.

During the investigation, police discovered that the accused had allegedly been collecting money from Hombegowda over the last two years under the pretext of payments in the name of “Kunigal Giri.” Authorities said nearly ₹20 lakh had been collected through this method.

Police further revealed that Bettegowda had earlier informed the gang that Hombegowda recently received about ₹1.5 crore from a property transaction, which prompted them to plan the robbery.

Two other accused, including Bachchan, were already in custody in connection with the case. Investigators said Bachchan, currently in jail, was also involved in planning the robbery.

Police have recovered around 570 grams of gold jewellery and ₹14 lakh in cash from the accused so far.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify other possible accomplices and determine whether the gang was involved in similar crimes elsewhere in the city.

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