Big Robbery in Bank! 59 kg Gold Looted from Canara Bank in Karnataka

A Big Robbery has taken place in Canara Bank in Karnataka. Unidentified individuals looted nearly 59 kg of gold jewellery valued at ₹53.26 crore, along with ₹5.20 lakh in cash, from the Canara Bank branch in Managuli, located in Basavana Bagewadi taluk of Karnataka’s Vijayapura district. The theft is believed to have taken place during the long weekend between May 23 and May 25, when the bank remained closed due to holidays.

The crime came to light around 11:30 a.m. on May 25, when Sambaji D Kamakar, a staff member, noticed the main shutter lock was broken. He immediately informed the Branch-in-Charge, Kalmesh Layappa Pujari, who rushed to the branch and found both the shutter lock and window grills forcibly cut, confirming signs of a break-in.

The incident was quickly reported to the Regional Head, who arrived by 1:00 p.m. with officials from the Regional Office. The local police were informed and reached the branch by 1:30 p.m. to begin their investigation.

Upon inspection, the police and bank officials found that the main door of the strong room was untouched, but the inner grill gate had been cut and bent. Inside, one of the steel almirahs used to store pledged gold ornaments had been completely emptied. According to the bank, a total of 1,373 gold packets, weighing a gross 59,348.94 grams, were missing. However, around 372 grams of gold was found scattered on the floor, putting the net amount stolen at 58,976.94 grams.

Additionally, another almirah containing cash had been opened, and a total of ₹5,20,450 was missing. To cover their tracks, the robbers also removed the CCTV NVR unit and its hard disk, erasing all surveillance footage related to the crime.

The branch had last operated on May 23, and the robbery is believed to have occurred sometime between 7:00 p.m. on May 23 and 11:30 a.m. on May 25, coinciding with the fourth Saturday and Sunday holiday closure.

The delay in filing the police complaint was due to the time taken by the bank to physically verify and reconcile the remaining gold stock, officials confirmed.

A case has been registered, and a full-scale investigation is now underway. Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi stated that eight special teams have been formed to investigate the incident from all angles. Authorities are treating this as a highly sophisticated and planned heist, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the culprits.

More details will be released soon.