Jabalpur/Seoni: The high-profile Seoni hawala money loot case has taken a dramatic turn, with the police arresting a total of 13 police personnel, including a woman SDOP and a Hawk Force DSP. Along with them, two civilians—a toy dealer and the SDOP’s brother-in-law—have also been arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy.
Mastermind Linked to Balaghat Hawk Force
According to SIT officials, the mastermind behind the operation is believed to be DSP Pankaj Mishra, posted with the Hawk Force in Balaghat. The police remand of four key accused—DSP Mishra, head constable Pramod Soni of Jabalpur Crime Branch, toy dealer Panju Giri Goswami, and SDOP Pooja Pandey’s brother-in-law Virendra Dixit—ended on Thursday, after which all four were sent to judicial custody.
Toy Dealer First Received the Hawala Alert
The SIT investigation revealed that toy trader Panju Giri Goswami had first received intel about a hawala consignment carrying ₹2.96 crore that was being transported from Katni to Jalna in a car (MH-13 EK 3430).
He passed this information to head constable Pramod Soni, who then informed DSP Pankaj Mishra. SDOP Pooja Pandey’s brother-in-law was also involved in the planning. Eventually, SDOP Pandey herself was roped into the plot.
The Midnight Robbery
On the night of 8–9 October, SDOP Pooja Pandey allegedly intercepted the vehicle at Siladehi bypass under Lakhanwada police station limits and seized the entire hawala amount.
On 9 October, the hawala courier, Sanjeep Parmar of Jalna, lodged a complaint accusing police officials of forcibly taking away the money.
Large Cash Recovery from SDOP’s Residence
The Jabalpur IG suspended 10 police personnel on the night of 9 October. The next day, SDOP Pooja Pandey was suspended as well.
A major breakthrough came on 11 October, when police recovered ₹1.45 crore in cash from SDOP Pandey’s home.
Robbery Case Registered
A case of dacoity was registered on 14 October, and police arrested SDOP Pandey along with 10 other police personnel the next day. Another absconding constable was arrested on 16 October. All were sent to jail on 17 October.
SIT Reveals WhatsApp Call Instructions
The SIT has presented evidence suggesting that SDOP Pandey acted under the direct orders of DSP Mishra, communicated via WhatsApp call on the night of the robbery.
Call details and digital proof link the four newly arrested accused to the conspiracy, though they were not physically present at the crime scene.
₹26 Lakh Still Missing
Out of ₹2.96 crore, the SIT has so far recovered ₹2.70 crore, with ₹26 lakh still unaccounted for.
Officials say the toy dealer had not only supplied information but had also “scripted the entire operation”.
Judicial Custody
After two days of interrogation, the four newly arrested accused were produced in court on Thursday and sent to judicial custody.
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