Three armed robbers executed the meticulously planned heist around 6:30 pm, making away with Rs.1.04 crore in cash and approximately 20 kg of gold ornaments worth Rs.20 crore. The incident has sent shockwaves through the banking sector as it marks the second major bank robbery in Vijayapura district within four months.
How the Heist Unfolded
The robbers entered the SBI branch under the pretext of opening a current account, with one masked individual initially approaching branch manager Tarakeshwar with an incorrectly filled form. When asked to correct the details, the suspect returned minutes later armed with a pistol and threatened staff in Hindi, saying "cash nikalo warna jaan se maar doonga" (take out the cash or we will kill you).
Two accomplices soon joined the first robber, all dressed in military-style uniforms and masks. The gang overpowered bank employees and customers present at the scene, binding their hands and feet with plastic ties before locking them in the toilet. They forced staff to open both the cash vault and gold lockers, methodically packing valuables into bags.
Escape and Investigation
The robbers fled in a Suzuki EVA vehicle with a fake registration plate, heading toward Maharashtra. However, their getaway was complicated when their vehicle collided with a herd of goats in Hulajanti village, Solapur district, leading to an altercation with locals. Despite the accident, the gang managed to escape on foot with the stolen valuables, abandoning their vehicle.
Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi confirmed that multiple teams have been deployed for a joint search operation with Maharashtra police. "Further investigation is underway and all efforts are being taken to nab the suspects," he stated.
Pattern of Bank Robberies in Vijayapura
This robbery follows a similar pattern to the massive Canara Bank heist that occurred in the same district on May 25, 2025. In that incident, robbers stole 58.97 kg of gold ornaments worth Rs.53.26 crore and Rs.5.20 lakh in cash from the Managuli branch. Police successfully cracked that case, arresting 15 suspects including former branch manager Vijaykumar Miriyala, who was identified as the mastermind.
The Canara Bank case revealed sophisticated planning, with the gang studying heist films, creating duplicate keys, and using diversionary tactics including placing black magic items at the crime scene. Police recovered assets worth over ₹39.26 crore from that robbery.
Security Concerns and Response
The latest SBI heist has raised serious questions about banking security protocols in Karnataka. The robbers demonstrated inside knowledge of bank operations, timing their attack when the bank was closed to customers and the security guard was on leave. CCTV footage captured the crime, providing investigators with crucial evidence.
Bank robberies have become an increasing concern in Karnataka, with another major incident occurring in Mangaluru in January 2025, where armed robbers stole Rs.4 crore from an agricultural cooperative bank.
The current investigation continues as police work to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen valuables. The sophisticated nature of both recent heists in Vijayapura district suggests organized criminal activity that requires enhanced security measures across banking institutions in the region.
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