ATM van driver and sons steal ₹17 crore, trio spend money on phones, taxis and luxury accommodation

A cash van driver and his two sons stole ₹17 crore meant to be loaded into an SBI ATM in Edi Bazaar and spent some of the money on a high-end mobile phone, taxi travel and luxury accommodation before being tracked down by the police within two days.

The Commissioner’s Task Force, Charminar Zone and IS Sadan police arrested Chirra Srinivas alias Srina (42) and his sons Chirra Anish alias John (22) and Chirra Jaswanth (20) in connection with the theft. Police recovered ₹14.55 crore in cash, a motorcycle allegedly used in the offense and four mobile phones.

According to investigators, Srinivas returned from Dubai in 2023 and later built the house. Police said he subsequently suffered financial problems after meeting with an accident and racking up debt. Faced with mounting financial pressure, he allegedly hatched a plan to steal cash from his workplace and enlisted the help of his sons.

The case came to light on June 23 after Bantupalli Suresh, a cash manager at a private cash management company, reported that ₹17 lakh meant to be loaded into an SBI ATM at Edi Bazaar had gone missing. Suspicion fell on Srinivas, who worked as a cash-loading vehicle driver.

Police said CCTV footage showed Srinivas allegedly taking a bag of cash from the vehicle while other employees were busy loading money into the ATM. He then slid into a nearby lane where his son Anish was waiting on a motorbike. The pair reportedly fled the scene before the theft was recorded.

Investigators determined the theft was pre-planned. After escaping, Srinivas and Anish allegedly met Jaswanth in Peerzadiguda, where ₹10 lakh of the stolen cash was handed over to him for safekeeping.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to spending around ₹2.45 million of the stolen amount. Police said ₹60,000 was spent on buying a mobile phone, while about ₹20,000 was spent on taxi hire. The trio also reportedly stayed at a luxury accommodation in Jagtial for three days while trying to evade arrest.

Using CCTV footage, technical evidence and surveillance footage, police traced Srinivas and Anish to Bowenpally on Thursday, June 25. Information gathered during their interrogation led the police to Jaswanth, who was subsequently arrested in Peerzadiguda.

Police said the accused confessed to the crime during interrogation. They were produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.

Published – 25 Jun 2026 20:37 IST