Karnataka Police Constable Suspended and Arrested for Orchestrating Major Robbery
A shocking case of police misconduct has emerged from Karnataka's Haveri district, where a serving constable has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a robbery in his wife's village. Pradeep Hanumantappa Naik, a 37-year-old District Armed Reserve (DAR) constable, has been suspended from duty following his arrest on Monday.
Details of the Robbery Operation
The robbery occurred on the night of January 19 in Nidnagilu village, located within Hirekerur taluk. According to Superintendent of Police Yashodha Vantagodi, five masked assailants armed with knives broke into the residence of Mallangouda Patil. The perpetrators, wearing monkey caps to conceal their identities, threatened five occupants before making off with substantial valuables.
The stolen items included:
- Rs 5 lakh in cash
- 40 grams of gold jewelry
- 244 grams of silver items
Constable's Alleged Involvement and Modus Operandi
Investigators revealed that Constable Naik, who hails from Mudinakoppa in Haveri district, played a central role in planning and executing the theft. A 2008-batch constable who previously served as driver for the Hirekerur police circle inspector for four years, Naik allegedly exploited his position and connections.
"Naik is married to a woman from Nidnagilu village," explained a police officer involved in the investigation. "His frequent visits to the village and claims of being the beat constable for the area allowed him to gather crucial information about potential targets. He then passed this intelligence to the robbery gang and helped coordinate the execution date."
Phone conversations recovered during the investigation reportedly provided concrete evidence of Naik's involvement in the criminal conspiracy. Authorities are now examining how the police constable established connections with the robbery suspects.
Arrests and Recovery of Stolen Property
The Hirekerur police formed four specialized teams to investigate the robbery, leading to multiple arrests. In addition to Constable Naik, the following individuals have been taken into custody:
- Malleshappa Venkappa Naik from Shidenur village in Byadgi taluk
- Kantesh Muttappa Waddar from Kerur village in Badami taluk
- Ajeya Hanumant Salhalli from Belawadi in Bailhongal, Belagavi district
- Nagaraj Hanumant Waddar
Police have successfully recovered significant evidence from the accused, including:
- Rs 52,000 in cash
- 7.7 grams of gold
- A motorcycle used during the commission of the crime
- Various other items connected to the robbery
Investigations further revealed that the accused had pawned the stolen gold at a finance company to secure loans, attempting to monetize their illicit gains.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This case highlights serious concerns about police integrity and the potential abuse of official positions for criminal activities. The fact that a serving police constable allegedly used his knowledge of local communities and law enforcement procedures to facilitate a robbery represents a significant breach of public trust.
Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the criminal network and examine whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern. The suspension of Constable Naik represents immediate administrative action, while criminal proceedings will follow the completion of the police investigation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of internal accountability mechanisms within law enforcement agencies and the need for continuous vigilance against corruption at all levels of the police force.
