Vijayapura Police have arrested four individuals connected to the armed robbery at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Chadchan, Vijayapura district. Among the arrested are three persons from Bihar and one from Maharashtra.
The special investigation team, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ramanagouda Hatti, has recovered 9 kilograms of the stolen 20 kilograms of gold ornaments and Rs86 lakh of the Rs1.04 crore looted during the heist.
Additional Director-General of Police R. Hitendra informed reporters that the probe is ongoing, but the investigation has made significant progress.
The prime accused, a man from Maharashtra believed to be the mastermind behind the robbery, orchestrated the entire operation. He and his accomplices conducted multiple reconnaissance exercises to gather intelligence about the bank and its employees before executing the crime.
For the robbery, they stole a car from Mangalveda, Maharashtra, which was used during the crime. The key accused was arrested on October 7 and presented before the court. Authorities seized 55 grams of gold bangles and a motorcycle used in the crime from him.
Following technical leads and credible intelligence, the investigation team also traced and apprehended a gang from Bihar supplying illegal firearms to the accused. Three arms suppliers from Samastipur—Rakesh Kumar Shivaji Sahani (22), Rajukumar Ramlal Paswan (21), and Rakshak Kumar Madan Mahato (21)—were arrested and produced before court.
Police continue their efforts to identify and capture other accomplices involved in this high-profile case.
