A gang of armed men stormed a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Surat's Varachha area on Tuesday, making off with Rs 52 lakh in a daring midday robbery. The incident left bank employees and customers shaken, while exposing serious security lapses at the branch.
Robbery Details
The robbery occurred around 1pm at the SBI branch in the Lambe Hanuman area. Five robbers entered the bank brandishing pistols and forced six employees and six customers into a corner. They seized mobile phones from everyone present, cutting off any means to raise an alarm. The gang then methodically emptied the cash reserves before fleeing.
Of the Rs 52 lakh taken, Rs 40 lakh belonged to a cash management company contracted by SBI, while Rs 12 lakh was the bank's own cash. Police suspect more individuals were involved, as not all suspects were captured on CCTV footage.
Security Lapses
Preliminary investigations revealed glaring security failures. There was no security guard at the branch during the robbery. The robbers had also cut the wire of the emergency siren, ensuring no alert could be raised. Six employees were present, including three contract workers.
Police said that while five robbers entered the bank, others kept watch at the entrance and possibly elsewhere in the complex. Investigators believe additional accomplices may have been stationed outside to facilitate a clean escape.
Police Response
Senior officers, including Additional Commissioners of Police Balram Meena and Karanraj Vaghela, reached the spot soon after the incident. Multiple teams from Varachha, Zone 1, and the detection of crime branch have been formed to track the accused, who are believed to have escaped on motorcycles.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Alok Kumar stated: "The incident took place in the SBI branch in the Lambe Hanuman area of Varachha. Around five robbers entered the bank and took Rs 52 lakh in cash. We learned that the robbers spoke in Hindi and had pistols. We are investigating based on CCTV footage."
Timeline and Irony
The robbers remained inside the bank for about 50 minutes, from 1pm to 2pm, appearing calculated and calm. They ensured the heist unfolded without violence. Ironically, a cash management company van was parked outside the branch with a gunman inside, but he remained unaware of the robbery happening just metres away.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue.
