During interrogation, Raja revealed that he executed the robbery with accomplices Shiva alias Shivkumar Raghuvanshi (resident of Barmahu, currently in Aron), Jasrath alias Sonu Meena (resident of Keshopur, Thana Kumbhraj), Golu alias Rahul Meena (resident of Umaria Chakk, Thana Kumbhraj), and one unidentified individual. Police are now tracing the stolen money and searching for the remaining fugitives.
The robbery occurred on December 3 when grain trader Neeraj Sahu of Shadora withdrew ₹20 lakh from ICICI Bank, Ashoknagar, and was en route back to Shadora. The assailants intercepted him, assaulted him at gunpoint, and fled with the cash.
Raja admitted that he was aware of Neeraj Sahu’s high-value transactions. Having an active tractor loan account at the same ICICI Bank, Raja had visited the bank under the pretext of depositing money and observed the merchant’s routine. He also guided his accomplices on Sahu’s movement routes and timing.
Authorities confirmed that Raja has a prior record for assault and is the mastermind behind this meticulously planned robbery. Police continue their investigation to recover the stolen cash and apprehend the remaining suspects.
