In a shocking incident on Tuesday morning, a group of dacoits launched an audacious attack on a branch of a private bank in the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, making off with over ₹5.62 crore in cash and gold. The incident unfolded around 9 AM at a branch of Axis Bank located near Dhimrapur Chowk in Jagatpur, a locality in Raigarh city. Approximately seven armed and masked criminals forcibly entered the bank premises.
During the robbery, the dacoits, after gaining entry, attacked the bank manager, injuring him with a knife, and later fled the scene with bags filled with cash and gold. At the time of the dacoity, the bank’s strong room reportedly contained nearly ₹7 crore in cash and approximately ₹2.5 crore worth of gold.
The criminals managed to loot an estimated ₹5.62 crore and 55 thousand rupees in cash and gold. They made their escape before the police could arrive at the scene.
Immediate Police Response and Investigation
As news of the daylight robbery spread, senior police officers rushed to the scene to oversee the investigation. The police also set up roadblocks in the city and alerted neighboring states Odisha and Jharkhand about the incident. The police confiscated a motorcycle near the bank, which was reportedly stolen and bore a Jharkhand registration number.
Upon discovering the vehicle, the police initiated an investigation that led them to suspect its involvement in the heist. Subsequent police efforts resulted in the detention and arrest of five suspects within 24 hours of the incident. The arrested individuals were found in possession of the stolen cash and gold.
Key Role of Jashpur Police in Apprehension
Jashpur’s Deputy Inspector General, Bansh Narayan Sharma, played a crucial role in apprehending the robbers. In addition to his efforts, Inspector General Ajay Yadav of the Bilaspur Range also arrived at the scene immediately. He continued monitoring the investigation until all suspects were apprehended.
All arrested suspects are believed to be residents of Bihar. They have revealed that they had been planning the bank robbery in Raigarh for over a month. The dacoits had also meticulously studied the layout and security measures of the Axis Bank branch.