Karnataka police have managed to arrest a six-member gang involved in the brazen robbery at the State Bank of India (SBI) Nyamati branch in Davangere. The robbery, which occurred on October 28, 2024, saw 17.7 kg of gold stolen, leaving the authorities stumped for months.
Breakthrough in the SBI Nyamati Heist
After months of unrelenting probing, the Karnataka police struck gold in the case by arresting the suspects and retrieving the loot of stolen gold from SBI. The loot of stolen gold was recovered in a well at Usalampatti town of Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, a vital lead that proved invaluable in the probe.
Police arrested the suspects as Vijayakumar (30 years), his brother Ajaykumar (28 years), Abhisheka (23 years), Chandru (23 years), Manjunath (32 years), and Paramananda (30 years). The gang had both local rowdies from Nyamati and persons with Tamil Nadu connections.
The authorities disclosed that Vijayakumar and Ajaykumar are brothers, and Paramananda is their brother-in-law. All three were originally from Tamil Nadu but had been living in Nyamati, where they operated a sweets business for a few years. The other three accused—Abhisheka, Chandru, and Manjunath—are locals of Nyamati.
Unraveling a Bigger Criminal Nexus
In their probe into the Nyamati robbery, the police discovered connections to a gang of notorious criminals operating from Kakrala in Uttar Pradesh. The gang has been responsible for several high-profile bank robberies in southern India.
“Five to six gangs are active in Kakrala and surrounding towns, who have been indulging in robberies and thefts for more than a decade, including the gold loot from the SBI branch at Rayaparathy in Warangal,” said a police spokesperson.
The Kakrala gang followed the same modus operandi as the Nyamati robbers, targeting banks in isolated areas, cutting through vaults with gas cutters, and going to great lengths to leave no trace of forensic evidence. But the Karnataka police were able to monitor their activities and arrested several of their members early this month.
The arrested members of the Kakrala gang, as confirmed by the authorities, are Guddu Kalia, Aslam, Hazarath Ali, Kamruddin, and Babu Sahan. The gang has also been involved in significant heists in Karnataka, such as the 15 kg of gold stolen from Karnataka Grameen Bank in Hosahalli in 2022 and the 4 kg of gold stolen from the Bevuru branch in 2023.
Multi-State Operations Led to the Arrests
The police’s extensive investigation campaign covered tough terrain and several states, such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Their well-orchestrated effort finally led to the arrest of five senior members of the Kakrala gang, a substantial triumph against organized crime.
The Mastermind of SBI Robbery and His Motive
Nyamati SBI robbery mastermind Vijaykumar plotted the heist out of financial trouble and a long-standing resentment towards the bank. Vijaykumar had approached the bank in August 2023 with a request for a Rs 15 lakh loan, which was turned down by the bank, the police said. Having felt let down and financially strapped, he hatches a plot to steal from the same bank that had not helped him financially.
“Vijaykumar was motivated by TV serials such as Money Heist and other films that showed bank robberies. He also viewed YouTube videos that guided him in planning the heist with precision,” police said.
Meticulously Planned Heist
For six to nine months, Vijaykumar and his gang acquired specialized tools, such as silent hydraulic cutters and gas-cutting equipment. To further rule out any chance of being traced, they stripped serial numbers from oxygen cylinders used for cutting.
During the robbery, the gang carried out their plan with accuracy. They broke into the bank by removing the iron grills from a window, gained access to the strong room, and cut open a locker filled with gold ornaments using gas cutters. To wipe out all traces, they also stole the DVR that was capturing the CCTV footage, making it hard for investigators to track them down.
In spite of their meticulous planning, the Karnataka police were able to trace and capture the criminals with the help of advanced forensic methods. The retrieval of the stolen gold from Tamil Nadu was the key in closing the case.
Crackdown on Criminal Networks
The Nyamati and Kakrala gangs’ successful bust is being touted as a big win for Karnataka’s police forces. This case not only cracked one of the most daring bank robberies in recent times but also unveiled a larger syndicate of crooks working in several states.
Police continued to question the arrested gangsters to reveal more property crimes connected to their criminal activities, especially in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The police feel that this arrest will act as a deterrent for future crime related to similar robberies.
Law Enforcement’s Greatest Accomplishment
The relentless efforts of the Karnataka police have ensured that justice is delivered. The recovery of the stolen gold and the dismantling of organized crime networks reflect their seriousness in addressing financial crimes effectively.
This breakthrough is a major step towards improving security measures in financial institutions and reinforcing inter-state cooperation in criminal investigations.