Raipur. Raipur The Civil Lines police, along with the Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit (ACCU), arrested two accused on Monday for embezzling ₹36.5 lakh from a parked car. Police investigation revealed that the victim’s close friend was the mastermind behind the crime.
The arrested accused have been identified as Nitin Kumar Soni (32), a resident of Vidhan Sabha Road, and his accomplice Tanvir Alam (28) from Rawabhata. Police have recovered the entire ₹36.5 lakh cash from their possession.
The incident
Complainant Gyanprakash Pandey, a resident of Housing Board Colony, Pirda, said he had finalised a land deal worth ₹36.5 lakh with Ganguram Yadav.
On 16 February 2026, he reached the collectorate premises for registry along with his friend Nitin Soni.
Pandey parked his car in the multi-level parking, handed the keys to Soni, and went to the registry office. Shortly after, Soni called him claiming a white cloth bag containing ₹36.5 lakh had been stolen from the car.
When Pandey returned and found the cash missing, he became suspicious due to Soni’s unsatisfactory answers.
Police investigation
On the directions of DCP (Central Zone) Umesh Prasad Gupta, police and cyber teams examined CCTV footage. A suspect was seen moving around the car on a black scooter.
During questioning, Soni repeatedly changed his statements, but technical evidence and crime-scene recreation contradicted his version.
Motive and arrest
Under sustained interrogation, Soni confessed to the crime. He revealed he was under heavy debt and had planned the act with Tanvir Alam. Soni had promised Alam ₹2 lakh for assistance and handed him the cash after sending Pandey to the registry office.
Police arrested both accused within hours and registered an FIR at Civil Lines police station under Sections 316(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
