₹80 lakh was stolen at gunpoint from steel company in Kochi

AN estimated ₹80 lakh was stolen at gunpoint from a steel wholesale company in Kundannoor, Kochi, on October 8, 2025.

Masked robbers threatened and attacked employees with pepper spray before escaping with the cash. 
Key details of the robbery:

The theft occurred at the National Steel Company in Kundannoor, a steel sales centre in the city.

An unidentified group of five masked individuals entered the office in the afternoon and intimidated staff using firearms and a sword-like weapon. They also used pepper spray on the employees. The incident took place as the employees were counting currency notes.

In the hours following the robbery, the police took one person into custody. The arrested individual has been identified as Saji from Vaduthala.

According to early reports, the theft may be related to a money-doubling dispute. The police are also investigating whether the arrested person, who had visited the shop earlier, provided the robbers with information.

Investigation: The Maradu police have registered a case and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the remaining suspects. An Assistant Commissioner of Police is leading the investigation.