Singrauli Bank Heist: Armed Robbers Loot Rs 5 Crore Gold, Rs 20 Lakh Cash in 15-Minute Raid
In a shocking incident that unfolded on Friday afternoon, five armed men executed a swift and meticulously planned daylight robbery at a Bank of Maharashtra branch in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. The audacious heist, which lasted a mere 15 minutes, resulted in the theft of gold worth Rs 5 crore and cash amounting to Rs 20 lakh, leaving the local community in a state of panic.
Timeline and Location of the Robbery
The robbery occurred between 12:50 pm and 1:05 pm on Vindhyanagar Road, near the Tiger Inn Hotel, under the jurisdiction of the Kotwali police station. The brazen nature of the crime, carried out in broad daylight, has raised serious concerns about security in the area.
Police Investigation and Statements
Singrauli Superintendent of Police Manish Khatri provided detailed insights into the incident. "They were five men, all armed. They also fired one shot in the air. A used shell was recovered by us," Khatri stated. He confirmed that a customer sustained minor injuries during the chaos that ensued. "As per information provided by the bank so far, Rs 20 lakh in cash and gold worth Rs 5 crore were robbed," he added.
Khatri further noted that while one of the accused had his face covered, the others did not attempt to conceal their identities. "We have sent teams to arrest the accused. Prima facie, it seems like a pre-planned robbery," he emphasized, highlighting the organized nature of the crime.
Modus Operandi of the Robbers
According to police reports, the robbery unfolded in a coordinated manner:
- Two of the accused initially entered the bank and held staff and customers at gunpoint.
- Three more accomplices soon joined them, reinforcing their control over the situation.
- The gang overpowered those present, assaulted bank staff, and forced access to the cash counter.
- They also breached lockers containing pledged gold, which belonged to customers who had mortgaged it for loans.
The entire sequence, including the entry and exit of the robbers, was captured on CCTV cameras installed within the bank premises. This footage is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
Immediate Police Response and Manhunt
Senior police officials and forensic teams swiftly reached the spot following the incident. A massive manhunt has been launched to apprehend the accused, with several measures implemented:
- Checkpoints have been set up across the district to intercept the fleeing robbers.
- CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas is being meticulously analyzed to identify the perpetrators.
- Investigations are focused on tracing the escape route and gathering evidence from the crime scene.
The recovery of a used shell from the fired shot underscores the violent nature of the robbery, adding urgency to the police efforts. The incident has sparked widespread alarm, with residents calling for enhanced security measures at financial institutions in the region.
