In a major breakthrough in the Rs 2-crore fake cop robbery case in Girgaon, the Mumbai Crime Branch, which was conducting a parallel investigation, has detained the key accused in the case, even as a search for his associate is underway, police said.
The incident occurred on Friday around 6.10 pm near Laheri Building at the Fourth Khetwadi corner on SVP Road, when two men posing as crime branch officers allegedly robbed Rs 2 crore in cash from a 65-year-old construction firm manager.
According to the police, the complainant – Iqbal Musa Machat, a Bandra (West) resident who works as manager and treasurer with YM Infra – had collected the cash from a courier office at Opera House along with his colleague Shahbaz Khan. They were travelling on a motorcycle towards the Panjarapole area of Girgaon when the accused intercepted them.
The police said that the suspects – wearing khaki trousers, sunglasses, and clothes resembling police attire – introduced themselves as crime branch officers. They allegedly threatened the victims, pretended to record a video on a mobile phone, and convinced them that they were genuine policemen.
Taking advantage of the situation, the accused allegedly snatched a black bag containing Rs 2 crore in cash. They also took three mobile phones from the victims as well as the motorcycle key before fleeing the spot and allegedly instructing the duo to report to the crime branch office.
Following the robbery, a case was registered at VP Road Police Station against unknown persons for robbery, cheating and impersonation of police personnel.
While the local police began the probe, the Crime Branch simultaneously launched a parallel investigation, analysing CCTV footage and technical data, which helped identify the suspects.
Police said the key accused, a resident of the Konkan region, has been detained by the Crime Branch. During questioning, he allegedly revealed that the robbery was committed due to mounting financial liabilities, which he cited as the primary motive behind the crime. Investigators said he was acting on instructions from another man, identified as Pillai, who is believed to be the second key accused.
“Based on technical analysis and CCTV footage, we have detained the key accused. The robbery was allegedly committed due to financial liabilities. The second accused, who played a crucial role in planning the offence, is currently absconding,” a police source said.
Police teams have been deployed to trace the remaining accused and to recover the stolen cash. Further investigation is underway.
