Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 1: In a significant breakthrough in the sensational Rs 400 crore container robbery case, police have arrested Kishor Salve, identified as the key accused in the investigation. With his surrender at the Ghoti Police Station in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, the total number of arrests in the case has now climbed to eight.

Salve was taken into custody immediately after surrendering, and investigators believe his arrest could prove pivotal in piecing together the full conspiracy behind the daring crime. Officials say his interrogation is expected to shed light on the planning, execution and possible beneficiaries of the robbery.

The case dates back to October 25, 2025, when two containers carrying a massive cash consignment were looted at Chorla Ghat in Belagavi district, close to the Karnataka–Maharashtra border. The stolen amount was estimated at around Rs 400 crore and reportedly included demonetised Rs 2,000 currency notes, a detail that added to the gravity and mystery surrounding the incident.

According to the original complaint filed by Nashik-based businessman Sandeep Datta Patil, the cash allegedly belonged to a builder from Gujarat. The investigation later expanded after allegations of kidnapping surfaced, prompting authorities to constitute a Special Investigation Team to handle the complex and high-stakes probe.

Given the scale of the robbery and its wider implications, the Maharashtra government has directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a rigorous, transparent and time-bound investigation. The SIT is also examining viral audio clips linked to the case, which investigators believe may offer further clues into the network involved in the crime.