The Karnataka Police have begun an investigation into the heist at the SBI at Chadchan in Karnataka’s Vijayapura, which occurred at around 6.30 pm on Tuesday. A case was filed at the Chadchana police station based on a complaint filed by SBI manager Tarakeshwar Venkatesh.
According to the bank manager, the robbers came under the pretext of opening a savings account. He added that the three-man gang wore black masks, white caps, and eye-patches. One had an application form in his hand. “It was then that the man brandishing a pistol threatened me and took me and the cashier to the strong room. They spoke Hindi, and soon two others wearing masks and holding pistols joined him. They threatened other employees and customers,” the manager said in the complaint.
He added that they had to hand over the gold and money to the robbers. The cashier initially refused to give the keys, but was threatened. All three of them then began to tie our hands and feet with plastic tags. They fled towards the Maharashtra direction,” he alleged.
Cash and gold ornaments worth over Rs 21 crore have been stolen by the robbers, as per the estimate of the bank authorities.
Police believe the accused fled the town of Chachana via the Hulajanti route. The vehicle used by the robbers hit a motorcycle near Hulijanti village in Maharashtra. An altercation happened between the biker and the robbers, but they then fled with money and jewellery.
As soon as the news of the robbery spread, Superintendent of Police (SP) Laxman Nimbargi rushed to the spot along with senior officers. The dog squad and fingerprint squad personnel also arrived at the scene.
Vijaypura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi told PTI that the suspects used a Suzuki EVA vehicle with a fake number plate. After committing the offence, they moved towards Pandharpur in Maharashtra. "Further investigation is underway and all efforts are being taken to nab the suspects," he added.