Bank Manager Among Three Arrested in Rs 53.26 Crore Heist in Karnataka

Vijayapura, Karnataka, June 27 (PTI): In a significant breakthrough, three individuals, including a bank manager, have been apprehended by authorities in connection with the colossal robbery of gold and cash valued at Rs 53.26 crore from the Canara Bank's Managuli branch. Police officials disclosed this information on Friday.

The suspects have been identified as Vijayakumar Miriyala, aged 41, the bank's manager, and his accomplices, Chandrashekhar Nerella, aged 38, and Sunil Narasimhalu Moka, aged 40, as confirmed by the police.

This daring robbery took place at the Canara Bank’s Managuli branch located in the Basavanabagewadi taluk of Vijayapura district on May 25, a branch where Miriyala previously held the position of branch manager.

The Superintendent of Police in Vijayapura, Lakshman Nimbargi, reported that a total of 58.97 kg of gold ornaments worth Rs 53.26 crore and Rs 5.2 lakh in cash were stolen from a bank locker.

"In this operation, senior manager Vijayakumar Miriyala from Canara Bank’s Hubballi branch, along with his associates Chandrashekhar Nerella and Sunil Narasimhalu, have been taken into custody," stated Nimbargi.

It has been revealed by the police that the accused meticulously orchestrated the bank heist. They allegedly conceived the robbery plan back in February, strategically waiting until Miriyala was transferred from the Managuli branch to eliminate potential suspicions.

Following his reassignment to the Ronihal branch in Vijayapura district on May 9, Miriyala reportedly handed over the keys to the bank’s secure deposit lockers to his partners in crime, according to police accounts.

Employing duplicate keys, the trio successfully executed the robbery. In a bid to mislead investigators, they also placed materials associated with "black magic" near the bank, attempting to suggest the involvement of external perpetrators, added the police.

Upon their arrest, authorities seized two vehicles allegedly used during the crime. Inside these vehicles was 10.5 kg of gold, estimated to be worth Rs 10.75 crore, which was apparently being transported.

The investigation remains active, with efforts underway to recover the remaining stolen gold and cash.

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