60 year-old man arrested in SBI 80 lakh heist

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 1

 

A 60 year-old man has been arrested by the Nagaland Police in connection to the stealing of Rs. 80 lakhs belonging to the State Bank of India (SBI) in Dimapur. The theft occurred on July 19 when cash meant for refilling ATMs were stolen just outside the SBI Dimapur (Main) Branch.

 

Four guards of a private security firm were initially detained by the police on suspicion. The Commissioner of Police, Dimapur Limasunep Jamir told a media conference today that the accused GS Mudallyar, hailing from Tiruchipalli, Tamil Nadu was arrested on October 28 at the Howrah station, Kolkata. The CP said that the police pieced together clues from scratch resulting in the arrest.

 

Described as a member and the “kingping” of a close-knit network of people specialising in snatch and run, the CP said that Mudallyar orchestrated the theft in Dimapur along with 9 others. Their activities reportedly span across India and operate on the move using the railways.

 

The gang arrived in Dimapur and apparently scouted the area before orchestrating the theft on October 1.
“Eleven people carried out the heist. Eight were at the spot, two were at the railway station and another was stationed in Guwahati,” said the CP.

 

On the day of the theft, one of the security guards holding the cash in a bag was seated in the van waiting to move. A stranger came up to the van and told him that some cash was lying on the ground. He got down and saw a few small denomination notes and while he was distracted another person snatched the money left unattended in the van.

 

As per the CP, other members of the gang were already waiting in an autorickshaw to transport it to the bus stand at Golaghat Road from where they escaped Dimapur by bus. The gang had reportedly conducted a series of such thefts on their way to Dimapur by train.

 

The CP said that despite the initial suspicions, the police could not find any credible evidence linking the security guards to the theft. He though commented, “Laid down security protocol was not followed.”

 

As for the money, it was divided among the gang members. The gang was described as a “highly professional network,” who gives a certain percentage of the loot they make to their community. They in turn earn loyalty and even lawyers, to bail them whenever they get caught.

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