In a brazen act that has left the residents of Nyamati town in disbelief, thieves broke into a branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) over the weekend, making off with gold jewelry valued at approximately ₹12.95 crores. The meticulously planned heist has raised serious concerns regarding the security of bank-locked valuables that the public believed were safe.
The robbery unfolded with the thieves gaining entry through a side window after cutting through the grills. Once inside, they disabled the bank’s security systems and used a gas cutter to breach one of three safes located in the bank’s secure room. While they successfully stole gold ornaments worth ₹12.95 crores, they attempted to access two additional safes containing ₹30 lakh in cash and other valuables but were thwarted. It is suspected that the gas cutter either ran out of fuel or the thieves were pressed for time, prompting them to abandon their efforts.
The incident occurred between the nights of October 25 and 26, during a weekend when the bank was closed for two consecutive days, giving the robbers ample time to execute their plan without interference.
As news of the robbery spread, concerned customers flocked to the bank, demanding answers. Bank officials worked to reassure the public while the police initiated an investigation. The situation was compounded by the fact that the criminals not only stole the gold but also removed the bank’s CCTV Digital Video Recorder (DVR), making it more difficult for investigators to gather evidence.
The police reported that the thieves had disabled the security alarms and CCTV system upon entering. Furthermore, they employed a unique tactic by spreading chili powder around the bank, presumably to throw off forensic scent-tracing dogs. A sniffer dog was able to trace the suspects’ escape route up to the village of Salabalu along Savalanga Road, suggesting a possible direction of their flight.
In response to the gravity of the situation, Eastern Range DIG B. Ramesh and Superintendent of Police Uma Prashanth visited the crime scene to oversee the investigation. SP Prashanth pointed out that the absence of night guards and the bank’s outdated alarm systems significantly contributed to the security breach. To expedite the investigation, five specialized teams have been formed, led by police inspectors and supported by ten sub-inspectors and other officers. They are diligently combing through forensic clues to identify the culprits.
This heist, one of the largest in the region’s recent history, has prompted public demands for tighter security measures at banks, particularly regarding storage and surveillance protocols. As authorities continue their investigations, customers across the area remain uneasy about the safety of their assets stored in banks.
The Nyamati bank heist serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in financial institutions and has ignited a public outcry for improved security measures. As investigations progress, the hope remains that authorities will bring those responsible to justice and restore public confidence in the safety of their valuables.