Singrauli Bank Robbery: Customers Rush Over Locker Safety Fears

Singrauli bank robbery sparks panic among customers as Bank of Maharashtra assures insured locker safety and ongoing investigation

Lead: Panic After Robbery

A day after the high-profile Singrauli bank robbery, anxious customers gathered in large numbers at the Vindhyanagar branch of Bank of Maharashtra on Saturday, seeking clarity on the safety of their valuables. The incident has triggered widespread concern, with many account holders demanding immediate assurance over their locker-held gold and assets.

Customers Seek Assurance

Several customers visited the branch to verify the status of their lockers and pledged gold. Dhirendra Kumar Srivastava, a local resident, said the news of the robbery had created deep anxiety. “There is fear in the mind regarding locker safety. We came to the bank to understand the situation clearly,” he said.

Another customer, Usha Srivastava, expressed similar concern, stating that assurances alone were not enough. “Until we see our jewellery safe with our own eyes, we will not feel relieved,” she said.

The crowd outside the bank reflected the growing unease among customers since the robbery came to light on Friday.

Accused Arrested in Bihar

Police have made progress in the case, with two accused traced to Bihar. Superintendent of Police Manish Khatri confirmed that one suspect, identified as Kamlesh Kumar, was arrested at Dehri-on-Sone railway station by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Officials said another accused is believed to be hiding in Jharkhand. A reward of ₹50,000 has been announced for information leading to further arrests.

Cash, Gold Recovered

During the arrest, authorities recovered ₹15.72 lakh in cash and 61 grams of gold from the accused. The seized gold is estimated to be worth around ₹9 lakh.

According to officials, the accused had admitted to his involvement during initial interrogation. He reportedly confessed that he was carrying his share of the looted cash and gold back to his village in Bihar.

Bank Issues Clarification

Bank of Maharashtra’s zonal manager Omkar Kumar sought to calm fears, stating that all gold deposited in the bank is insured. He assured customers that the bank follows strict security and insurance protocols.

“Customers’ assets are safe, and any potential loss will be covered as per banking norms,” he said, urging account holders to remain patient while the investigation continues.

Experts Cite Banking Norms

Banking experts have also backed the institution’s assurances. Retired bank manager Prashant Pal noted that under established banking regulations and court rulings, customers’ interests remain protected in such cases.

“When gold is in the custody of the bank, the liability lies with the institution. Any loss will be compensated as per rules,” he said while speaking to media.

Investigation Underway

A special investigation team from Jabalpur has reached Singrauli and is currently examining the matter. Officials are conducting a detailed security audit of the strong room and locker facilities.

Authorities indicated that a stock verification exercise will be carried out in coordination with insurance representatives to assess the exact loss. Customers may be called in the coming days to inspect their lockers or receive updates on pledged gold.

What Lies Ahead

The Singrauli bank robbery has raised serious questions around bank security and customer confidence. While recoveries and arrests mark progress, the focus now shifts to accountability and restoring trust.

Officials say further arrests are likely as the investigation expands across multiple states. Meanwhile, customers continue to wait for confirmation that their valuables remain untouched.

As this Latest News Today continues to unfold, it remains a key India News Update and a significant public interest story for the English News Portal India audience, reflecting concerns around banking security and governance.