KANPUR, Feb. 28 -- A Rs 24 lakh robbery on February 16 in Shyam Nagar here has led the city police and the cybercrime branch to what they suspect could be a large hawala operation, with 68 bank accounts linked to a tannery operator and his relatives coming under scrutiny. Police commissioner Raghubir Lal said investigators found that nearly Rs 1,600 crore had been withdrawn in cash from 12 banks through these 68 accounts over the past two-and-a-half years. On February 16 night, two men, Mohammad Wasid and Arshad, were allegedly robbed at gunpoint by motorcycle-borne assailants near Shyam Nagar police post in Chakeri area. Police said the victims did not immediately file a complaint. A written complaint was submitted eight days later. "The victims were reluctant to file a report. That raised suspicion. When we probed further, we found large-scale cash withdrawals. The matter appears to be linked to economic offences. We have informed the ED, IT and GST authorities," Lal said. "Investigators are now examining the money trail and the role of the tannery operator, who is currently being traced. The facts emerging so far indicate possible money laundering and hawala links," he added. CCTV footage showed the two men visiting an IDBI Bank branch on Birhana Road before heading towards Jajmau. While the complainants claimed Rs 24 lakh was withdrawn from the bank that day, investigators found that Rs 3.20 crore had been withdrawn from the tannery operator's account on the same date. Acting on leads, police arrested Mohammad Yaseen and Mujahid of Beconganj following a late-night encounter on Thursday. Hours later, Abdul Rehman of Moolganj, Lareb Siddiqui of Chamanganj, and Subhan Khan and Mohammad Zeeshan of Beconganj were also arrested....