A cash van driver and his two sons stole ₹17 lakh meant for loading into an SBI ATM in Edi Bazaar, and spent a portion of the money on a high-end mobile phone, taxi travel and a luxury stay before being tracked down by police within two days.

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

According to investigators, Srinivas had returned from Dubai in 2023 and later constructed a house. Police said he subsequently suffered financial setbacks after meeting with an accident and accumulated debts. Facing mounting financial pressure, he allegedly devised 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 custodian with a private cash management company, reported that ₹17 lakh meant for loading into an SBI ATM at Edi Bazaar had gone missing. Suspicion fell on Srinivas, who was working as the driver of the cash-loading vehicle.

Police said CCTV footage showed Srinivas allegedly taking a cash bag from the vehicle while other employees were occupied with loading currency into the ATM. He then slipped into a nearby lane where his son Anish was waiting on a motorcycle. The pair allegedly fled the scene before the theft was noticed.

Investigators found that the theft had been planned in advance. After escaping, Srinivas and Anish allegedly met Jaswanth in Peerzadiguda, where ₹10 lakh from the stolen cash was handed over to him for safekeeping.

During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to spending around ₹2.45 lakh from the stolen amount. Police said ₹60,000 was spent on purchasing a mobile phone, while about ₹20,000 each was spent on hiring cabs. The trio also allegedly stayed at a luxury accommodation in Jagtial for three days while attempting to evade arrest.

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

Police said the accused confessed to the offence during questioning. They were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.