In a meticulously executed daylight robbery, five suspects looted 10 kilograms of gold worth approximately Rs 10 crore along with Rs 5 lakh in cash from a branch of ESAF Small Finance Bank located in the Khitola area of Jabalpur district on Monday morning. The audacious heist unfolded in less than 20 minutes, police officials said.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Atul Singh, the robbers struck at 8:50 am, entering the bank wearing helmets and riding on two motorcycles. “The entire operation lasted for about 18 minutes, with the accused fleeing the premises around 9:08 am,” Singh said. “While none of them brandished weapons openly, one of the suspects was reportedly carrying a firearm tucked discreetly under his belt.”
The bank was unusually operational at 8 am—two and a half hours earlier than its regular opening time of 10:30 am—owing to the ongoing festive season rush, which possibly presented a window of opportunity for the robbers. At the time of the incident, six bank employees were present inside, but the branch did not have a security guard on duty.
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Initial investigations have revealed a critical lapse in the bank’s response post-robbery. “The bank staff did not inform the police immediately. There was a 45-minute delay as the employees discussed the incident with their higher officials before alerting the authorities,” DIG Singh explained. “Had the police been informed without delay, it could have increased the chances of apprehending the culprits.”
Law enforcement teams have since reviewed CCTV footage from the bank and nearby areas to identify the robbers. They are also coordinating with local intelligence units and neighboring police stations to track down the suspects. The bank is conducting further valuations and verifications of the stolen items, with initial calculations pegging the gold’s worth at Rs 10 crore based on current 24k gold rates.
The incident has raised serious concerns about security protocols at financial institutions, especially during peak seasons when operational hours are extended. Police officials are urging banks to strengthen security measures and ensure timely communication with law enforcement in case of emergencies.
Efforts continue to trace and capture the accused, with a police spokesperson assuring that the investigation remains a top priority.
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