Vijayapura: In a daring daylight robbery, three to four armed and masked robbers stormed into a bank branch in Vijayapura, Karnataka, and looted around ₹1 crore in cash along with 12–13 kg of gold jewellery. The incident occurred on September 16 around 6:30 pm and has triggered widespread alarm in the district.

Robbery details

According to Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Lakshman B Nimbaragi, the gang arrived at the bank armed with country-made pistols and handguns. They overpowered the staff members, tying their hands and feet before executing the heist.

“On 16th September, around 6.30 pm, three or four robbers entered a bank and tied the hands and feet of the staff and looted the bank. They threatened the bank staff with pistols and handguns, stole cash and gold jewellery, and escaped. According to preliminary information, one crore rupees in cash and 12–13 kg of gold jewellery were stolen,” Nimbaragi told ANI.

The robbers fled the scene swiftly, leaving authorities scrambling to launch a large-scale investigation.

Past incidents raise concerns

The latest heist comes barely three months after a similar incident shook Vijayapura. In June 2025, robbers stole 59 kg of pledged gold and ₹5.2 lakh cash from another bank in the district, raising concerns about the security of financial institutions in the region.

Karnataka has also seen other theft-related crimes in recent months. In March, Bengaluru Police arrested a suspect accused of breaking into a lodge room during a wedding event and stealing valuables worth ₹3.15 lakh, including a gold chain, mobile phones and other items. The accused was nabbed within a week following the incident after police tracked him down near Hegganahalli Circle.

Investigation underway

Police have launched an extensive probe into the latest robbery and are analysing CCTV footage in and around the bank premises. Authorities are also seeking leads from local informants and have intensified vigil across the district.

The daring nature of the crime — where armed robbers managed to overpower staff and loot valuables worth crores — has sparked significant concern among citizens and officials alike. Police say additional security measures will be implemented to prevent further such incidents.

Conclusion

With back-to-back high-value robberies reported in Vijayapura this year, the incident has once again underscored gaps in bank security protocols in semi-urban areas. Authorities are under pressure to swiftly crack the case and restore public confidence.