Davanagere: After an intense five-month investigation, Karnataka police have successfully cracked the high-profile Nyamati SBI Bank robbery case, recovering almost the entire stolen gold worth ₹13 crore.
The Heist
On October 28, 2024, after a two-day weekend, bank officials at Nyamati SBI were shocked to discover a strong room locker had been broken open with a gas cutter. The burglars had entered by removing an iron grill from a window, looted pledged gold ornaments weighing 17.7 kg, and fled. To erase evidence, they stole the bank’s CCTV DVR and scattered chilli powder at the scene.
The Investigation
A high-level probe was launched by Davanagere District Police under SP Uma Prashanth, IPS, and ASP Sam Varghese, IPS. Investigators scanned CCTV footage over a 50-km radius, analyzed mobile tower data, and tracked interstate toll records.
Initially, suspicion fell on the notorious Kakrala gang from Uttar Pradesh, known for bank thefts across South India. Police arrested five members in high-risk operations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh but found no direct link to the Nyamati case.
Further leads pointed to Tamil Nadu-based criminals. The real masterminds—Vijaykumar, Ajaykumar, Abheesheka, Chandru, Manjunath, and Paramananda—were arrested. Vijaykumar, who ran a local sweets business, had planned the heist for over six months, inspired by TV shows like Money Heist and burglary tutorials on YouTube.
Modus Operandi & Recovery
Facing financial distress after a loan rejection, Vijaykumar meticulously studied the bank’s security and procured silent hydraulic and gas-cutting tools. The stolen gold was hidden across Tamil Nadu, with a major portion recovered from a 30-foot-deep irrigation well in Usalampatti, Madurai, using expert swimmers. The remaining gold was traced to financial institutions and jewelry stores.
This case stands as a testament to Karnataka police’s relentless pursuit of justice.
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