Police have apprehended three suspects, including the former bank manager Vijaykumar Miriyal, in connection with the massive Rs 53.26 crore robbery at a Canara Bank branch in Vijayapura, Karnataka. The heist, which took place last month, involved the theft of nearly 59 kilograms of gold and Rs 5.3 lakh in cash.
According to investigators, Miriyal masterminded the robbery alongside Chandrashekhar Nerella, a former bank employee turned contractor and casino operator, and Sunil Moka, Miriyal’s assistant. The crime occurred between May 23 and 25, when the culprits disabled power lines, CCTV cameras, and cut through a window grille to enter the bank.
Remarkably, the robbers avoided damage to the main locker, instead using a duplicate key that Miriyal had secretly created during his tenure as branch manager. Police investigations revealed months of meticulous planning, with reconnaissance visits to Managuli village starting as early as February. The duplicate keys were crafted and tested since January.
The gang reportedly studied Hollywood and Bollywood heist movies on Netflix to learn how to dress, wear masks, and use helmets to evade detection. They even used diversion tactics such as sprinkling chili powder to mislead sniffer dogs and placing black magic items to confuse the investigation.
The timing was deliberate—waiting until Miriyal’s transfer on May 9 to divert suspicion to new staff. Their initial plan to strike on May 23 was postponed due to an IPL match. On the night before the robbery, they disabled village CCTV cameras and cut streetlight wiring to maintain darkness. Transportation was coordinated with a truck and motorbikes for discreet movement.
Vijayapura SP Laxman Nimbargi, leading the investigation, confirmed the recovery of 11 kilograms of gold worth Rs 10.75 crore and the seizure of two vehicles used in the crime. While several suspects remain at large, authorities are actively pursuing them to recover the remaining stolen assets.
