Bantwal: Bank theft - Value of stolen items changes from Rs 6 crore to Rs 1.65 crore
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Updated
Bantwal, Jan 12: In a new development in the cooperative bank theft case at BC Road that came to light on Monday January 12, it is now learnt that the cash and jewellery stolen was worth Rs 1.65 crore and not Rs 6 crore as informed by the officials earlier.
It was reported earlier in the day cash and jewellery worth Rs 6 crore was stolen from Bhagavathi Cooperative Bank. The bank had lodged a complaint to that effect at the local police station.
The sudden reduction in the value of the stolen cash and jewellery by the bank has raised questions. The bank officials had earlier looked into the books and estimated the value of the stolen items. "Later, when they checked the computer records, they came to know that the value of the stolen items is Rs 1.65 crore," said Bantwal police circle onspector Belliappa.
Nevertheless, the customers of the bank are anxious and lamented that the bank officials do not have a clear idea of the cash and valuables in the bank.
Earlier Report
Bantwal: Thieves break into bank, decamp with cash, jewellery worth Rs 6 crore
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jan 12: In a major theft, cash and jewellery worth Rs 6 crore were looted from Bhagavathi Cooperative Bank situated on main B C Road here during the intervening night between Sunday January 11 and Monday January 12. The theft came to light on Monday.
As per preliminary information obtained by the police, gold jewellery weighing 22.28 kg and cash altogether worth Rs six crore have been taken away by the thieves.
The thieves entered the bank by removing the grills of its rear window that opens out to a small lane. They then broke open the locker and took away the cash and jewellery. The theft came to light after the bank staff opened the doors on Monday morning. The cable of the alarm system in the bank was found to be cut. The thieves apparently broke the locker using instruments such as iron rods, it is learnt.
Bantwal ASP Rahul Kumar, circle inspector Belliappa, town inspector Nandakumar, and rural inspector Rakshit visited the spot and investigated. Canine squad and forensic experts were also called.
No security for the bank
As Saturday and Sunday were holidays for the bank, it is possible that the thieves might have carried out the theft on one of these nights. There is no security guard for the bank, and suprisingly, no CCTV camera either, though the bank has a turnover of several crores. In view of the security failure, the case has become a big challenge for the police.
The theft is similar to the one that had occurred at a cooperative bank under Karkala police station limits. The forensic experts who came from Mangaluru expressed similar opinions and said that this was a handiwork of professional thieves.
Superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa visited the bank on Monday afternoon and conducted investigations. Speaking to reporters he said that the failure of the bank to provide security resulted in the theft. "There was no security guard or CCTV camera even though valuables worth Rs 6 crore were kept in the locker. It was easy for the thieves to remove the window grills and enter the bank. Three teams will be formed to trace the thieves," he said.
The theft has shocked the taluk. Soon after hearing that a large amount of jewellery had been stolen from the bank, hundreds of customers flocked to the premises.
Further investigations are on.