Cop by day, mastermind by night: Who is Annappa Naik? Man behind Bengaluru’s biggest cash-van heist

BENGALURU: Achieving a major breakthrough in the state's biggest cash-van heist, city police have arrested six suspects and recovered almost Rs 6.3 crore, after investigators worked round the clock for three days over five states. But the success has been overshadowed by a disturbing revelation — the alleged mastermind of the daring crime is a serving police constable!

The accused, Annappa Naik, a constable from the 2018 batch, was attached to Govindapura police station in east division. According to the investigators, he meticulously planned the heist using knowledge gained through police training and operational experience. Shockingly, just hours after his associates fled with Rs 7.1 crore, Naik reported for duty as usual, patrolled his beat, and even engaged in casual conversation with colleagues about the robbery — while allegedly monitoring the gang's escape in real time.




A senior officer said Naik had been on night duty all week as part of a Hoysala patrolling unit. He completed his night shift in the early hours of Nov 19, stayed in constant touch with key accomplice Xavier regarding the heist, and returned to duty the same evening. "He was receiving updates from the control room even as he drove the Hoysala vehicle. He chatted with the ASI about the incident while sipping tea, acting completely normal," the officer said.

Police sources acknowledged that a serving constable's involvement in such a case has dealt a blow to the force's credibility. "People will focus on the constable's role and not the effort put in by hundreds of officers to crack the case," another senior officer pointed out.

Naik, a native of Hale Veerapura in Haveri district, was earlier posted at Banaswadi police station, where he was considered active and dependable. Over time, however, complaints — misconduct, misuse of position, and irregularities — mounted, leading to his transfer to Govindapura a year ago. He was frequently deployed on special duty at Freedom Park and assigned night patrol duty.

Police sources said Naik was also dealing with personal issues; his wife left him following a marital dispute and has been living with their child at her parental home.

After his arrest, Govindapura officers allegedly remarked in an informal discussion that a single early clue could have helped them arrest their own colleague and claim credit for the breakthrough.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here