In the run-up to the civic polls, a huge controversy involving Rs400 crore – in denominations of demonetised Rs2,000 notes – with alleged links to the Nashik police personnel has surfaced. The money was allegedly stolen in a sensational heist during an inter-state transport last year.
Builder Linked to Cash
The complainant, Nashik-based real estate agent Sandeep Patil, who claimed that his life is under threat, asserted that the whopping amount is linked to a prominent Thane-based builder and was apparently meant to be used for elections by a politician associated with the builder. It all began in October 2025 when two truck containers containing Rs400 crore were dispatched by the builder Karnataka to an ashram in Ahmedabad, where the money was supposed to be converted into legal tender in lieu of commission. However, on October 16, the staggering amount was allegedly stolen midway at Chorla ghat on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border.
Ransom Demands Alleged
The situation allegedly escalated after unknown persons contacted the builder through a VoIP call, demanding Rs100 crore – in Rs100, Rs200 and Rs500 denominations – for returning the consignment. The builder allegedly shared Patil’s name and photograph, claiming his involvement in the heist.
Police Probe Initiated
Patil has filed a complaint with the superintendent of police, Nashik (rural), who has asked the Goti police to probe the matter. Preliminary findings, according to sources, indicated that the cash was linked to one of the state’s active political parties and was being moved for election-related expenditure. Patil has also levelled serious allegations against certain Nashik police personnel, accusing them of unofficially tracking the money on the instructions of the builder and the political functionary linked to him. He added that the ashram had been operating in the black money field for years.
Innocence Claimed by Patil
Claiming innocence, Patil told the Nashik police that he was accused of masterminding the heist by certain persons close to the powerful duo. According to his complaint, it was the ashram’s responsibility to convert the cash into smaller, legal denominations before routing it back to Maharashtra for election-related activities and political manoeuvring. As per the stated arrangement between the builder and ashram, the latter was expected to provide Rs170 crore in legal tender under a 60:40 commission-based exchange arrangement. Sources said the converted funds were allegedly meant to be channelled to a political leader for election campaigning and post-poll political activities.
Hawala Operator Involved
Following the alleged heist, a Gujarat-based hawala operator linked to the ashram is said to have informed a Nashik police officer that the builder was demanding the return of his money despite the consignment not reaching the ashram. As per the alleged understanding, responsibility for the security of the cash during transit rested with the builder.
Digital Evidence Submitted
Patil has submitted a video recording of alleged conversations between the police officer and the hawala operator. He also presented audio recordings and digital files to senior police officers, claiming these contain conversations involving police personnel, the builder and the hawala operator. In one such recording, the hawala operator is allegedly heard telling a police officer that he would attempt to mediate between the builder and the ashram, while asserting that the ashram had no role in the alleged heist. As per Patil, the digital evidence also reveals alleged assurances of rewards to the cops if the consignment was traced.
Senior Police Allegedly Aware
Patil further alleged that several senior police officials and personnel from the Nashik Local crime branch were aware of the alleged heist, but did not report the matter to higher authorities for more than two months. Instead, the stolen cash was being allegedly tracked unofficially at the behest of the builder and the political leader, given the election funding angle, as claimed.
Alleged Abduction of Patil
Patil said that after the builder raised suspicion against him, he was abducted from the Ghoti area of Nashik on October 22, 2025, by individuals, including police personnel and associates of the hawala operator. In his complaint, he claimed that eight to 10 men arrived in two vehicles, bundled him into one of them, assaulted and threatened him at gunpoint. He further alleged that he was compelled to participate in video calls with the builder and the hawala operator, during which he was threatened with death unless the money was recovered. Patil said he was later abandoned on a highway in Nashik.
Investigation Underway
Confirming the amount involved, local crime branch (rural) officer Ravindra Magar said, “The complaint has been forwarded to the Ghoti police station for investigation into the alleged kidnapping and related allegations. As no robbery complaint was registered earlier, there are no direct witnesses. A detailed probe is required.”
Police Officer Details Shared
Patil said that a police officer “involved in his kidnapping” later narrated details of the alleged heist to him, claiming that the perpetrators had contacted the builder, demanded Rs100 crore and shared his details to implicate him. He also alleged that the officer told him that senior cops have been assigned to trace the money unofficially owing to the “political angle”, while warning of serious consequences if he attempted to lodge any complaint.
Complaint Delayed Over Threats
Citing threats to his life, Patil said he initially refrained from filing a complaint.
Timeline of Events
October 16, 2025
Rs400 crore stuffed in two truck containers dispatched from unidentified location near the Karnataka border
Whopping amount stolen midway in a sensational heist at Chorla ghat on Maharashtra-Karnataka border
October 22, 2025
Complainant claims he was abducted at behest of the powerful duo – builder and politician
Police personnel and associates of a hawala operator were among the abductors, he alleges
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