Chikkamagaluru: Cash, gold and silver worth over Rs 1 crore found in car seized by police

Chikkamagaluru: In a sensational twist to a theft case, lakhs of rupees in cash, along with gold and silver ornaments, were discovered inside a car that had been seized and parked at the Koppa police station for over a month. The car was linked to a theft case at the residence of former Education Minister late Govinde Gowda in Chikkamagaluru district.

Police had arrested a Nepalese gang with the help of the Sangli police in connection with the theft. The car used by the accused during their escape was seized earlier and recently ordered to be released by the court. However, during inspection prior to release, police found Rs 3,41,150 in cash, 595 grams of gold, and 589 grams of silver hidden under the car seats.

Officials estimate the total value of the recovered assets at over ₹1 crore — even higher than what was reported stolen. This has led investigators to suspect that the gang may be involved in multiple other thefts across the state.

The theft in question took place on August 21 at the residence of H.G. Venkatesh, son of former minister Govinde Gowda, at Manipur Estate in Harandooru village. The burglars had escaped with ₹6 lakh in cash and gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 37.5 lakh.

Police had earlier arrested three Nepalese nationals — Rajendra, Ekendra Kutal Badwal, and Karam Singh Bahadur — and recovered jewellery worth over Rs 1.5 crore, along with two cars used in the crime.

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