Hotel driver mastermind in ₹75 lakh robbery; 5 held

Lucknow: Police in Vibhuti Khand cracked a high-value robbery case involving a private company’s collection agent, arresting five accused, including the alleged mastermind — a hotel MD’s driver. Officials said ₹45 lakh has been recovered so far, while the total robbed amount is now pegged at ₹75 lakh.

The robbery occurred near a five-star hotel when the victim, Nikul Singh Jadeja, a Gujarat-based collection agent, was attacked on April 4. In his complaint, Jadeja told police that he collected cash from a local firm and was heading to his office on a scooter when an SUV rammed into him. The assailants assaulted him and fled with the cash-filled bag.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Deeksha Sharma, who supervised the probe, said CCTV footage from around the hotel was analysed to map the escape route. Acting on surveillance inputs and tip-offs, police teams intercepted the accused near Kathauta Lake and arrested five people.

Police identified Rahul Yadav, driver of the hotel’s managing director, as the mastermind. Investigators said Rahul was aware of regular high-value cash movements and previously handled such collections. On the day of the incident, he returned after collecting cash from Ayodhya, which was handed over to the victim at the hotel.

“He tipped off his associates as soon as the agent left with the cash,” Sharma said. During questioning, Rahul admitted that he planned the robbery after being tempted by the large sums he routinely handled.

Rahul roped in his cousin Akash Yadav, who brought in Salman and others, including Rajkumar, Sumit and Vishal. Following the plan, the gang intercepted the victim and executed the robbery before fleeing in the SUV.

Further investigation is underway.

Further investigation is underway.