ATM van heist gang planned Goa casino trip after loot
A nine-member gang that allegedly pulled off a Rs 7.11 crore ($783k) Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cash van heist in Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru, had planned to flee to Goa and spend the stolen money in casinos, according to a detailed charge sheet filed by police. Investigators said the accused intended to exit Karnataka and travel across multiple states before reaching the coastal state known for its casino industry.
The 1,328 page charge sheet that was submitted before a Bengaluru court, outlines the conspiracy, escape route and digital trail that helped police solve the case within 54 hours of the robbery.
Planned escape to Goa
According to the charge sheet, the gang mapped out a clear escape route. After leaving Bengaluru, they planned to enter Andhra Pradesh and then either travel to Uttar Pradesh before heading to Goa or go directly to Goa.
A senior officer, citing the findings, said the group’s end goal was to enter Goa and spend the money in casinos while living lavishly. Some of the accused had accumulated debts through failed businesses and gambling. They allegedly intended to clear those loans using the stolen cash.
However, police arrested the accused before they could execute the final leg of their plan.
How robbery was carried out
The robbery took place on 19 November 2025, in southern Bengaluru. Six members of the gang posed as officials of the Reserve Bank of India and intercepted a cash van belonging to CMS Info Systems. They threatened the crew and fled with Rs 7.11 crore ($783k).
Deputy Commissioner of Police South Lokesh B Jagalasar said the investigation was led by the Jayanagar Assistant Commissioner of Police and his team, who followed a scientific approach.
Police tracked the suspects across several cities. After leaving Bengaluru, some travelled to Chittoor, Chennai, Vellore and Hosur, and later to Hyderabad. Officers eventually recovered most of the stolen money.
Inside role of key accused
According to Deccan Herald, the charge sheet names J Xavier, a former employee of CMS Info Systems, as the main planner and conspirator. Listed as accused number one, he allegedly knew the company’s operations in detail and used that knowledge to plan the robbery.
Annappa Naik, a police constable posted at the Govindapura police station and listed as accused number two, allegedly provided technical, backend and moral support. Investigators said he used his position as a serving policeman to assist the gang.
Gopal Prasad alias Gopi, accused number three, worked as a fleet or vehicle in charge at CMS Info Systems. He allegedly provided logistical information. Ravi, accused number four, played a key role in executing the plan. The other accused include Naveen, Nelson, Rakesh, Dinesh and Jinesh.
Fake number plate and digital trail
The gang used a Toyota Innova as their getaway vehicle. They randomly chose a registration number for the vehicle. The number belonged to a Maruti Suzuki Swift owned by 78-year-old PB Gangadhar, a resident of eastern Bengaluru, who was unaware that his vehicle number was being misused.
Investigators relied heavily on digital evidence to crack the case. Police examined voice recordings, CCTV footage, mobile phone call records, location data and mapping details.
The investigation team compiled 129 pieces of evidence, including eyewitness statements, technical data and forensic material such as fingerprints that identified the accused.
The nine have been charged with dacoity, wrongful restraint and confinement, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, causing disappearance of evidence and other relevant offences under Indian law. The case will now proceed before the court in Bengaluru.
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