Masked Robbers Steal Over Rs 21 Crore From SBI Branch

Three masked men armed with country-made pistols and knives stormed a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Chadchan town, Vijayapura district, on Tuesday evening, making off with cash and gold worth over Rs 21 crore. The audacious heist, which unfolded around 6:30 pm, has left authorities scrambling to apprehend the culprits.

According to police, the robbers entered the bank under the guise of opening a current account. Once inside, they swiftly overpowered the staff, threatening the manager, cashier, and other employees with weapons. The gang tied up the hands and feet of the bank personnel, ensuring no resistance, before looting approximately Rs 1 crore in cash and 20 kg of gold ornaments, valued at around Rs 20 crore, as per the bank’s estimates.

The robbers fled the scene in a Suzuki EVA vehicle bearing a fake number plate, heading toward Pandharpur in Maharashtra, said Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi. “We’ve registered a case based on the bank manager’s complaint and formed special teams to track down the suspects,” Nimbargi told PTI, adding that preliminary investigations point to a well-planned operation.

Also Read: Railway Workers Score Massive Rs 1 Crore Insurance Boost

CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas is being analyzed to identify the perpetrators, who remain at large. The incident has raised concerns about security at rural bank branches, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and armed guards. As the manhunt intensifies, police are exploring possible interstate links, given the robbers’ escape route toward Maharashtra. The local community, shaken by the scale of the heist, awaits justice in this high-stakes crime.

Also Read: Rare Diamonds Discovered by Tribal Woman in Panna