Mangalore police have arrested Nikhil Prakash Shetty, an alleged associate of underworld operatives Ravi Poojary and Bannanje Raja, with the help of Interpol. Shetty, who was detained in Dubai, was flown to Mangalore after a four-month extradition process.
Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar told reporters here on Friday Shetty was allegedly involved in the gold heist at Chemmanur Jewellers on Kammanahalli Main Road in August 2007. Four men had held the nine employees at gunpoint and wiped the place clean of all its gold — 36 kg, worth Rs. 3.6 crore at the time according to the proprietors — besides looting Rs. 3 lakh in cash.
Fled to Dubai
Police said he fled to Dubai after the heist, living under the name Nikhil Prakash Urs.
A red corner notice was issued against him in July 2012. The Dubai police arrested him on February 28, and Mangalore police initiated extradition procedures.
He landed in Delhi on Thursday night and was produced before a Mangalore court.
Shetty is a also suspect in the murder of career criminal Rohi in 2009.
