By – Prakarsh Kastwar
In a shocking case of bank heist, CCTV footage has surfaced from the Indian Overseas Bank in Lucknow, showing the audacious activities of thieves who broke into the bank’s lockers and stole valuables worth crores. The footage, captured on December 22 at 4:36 AM, highlights the nonchalant attitude of the culprits, walking around with bags of loot, gathering tools, and even sitting comfortably on a chair inside the bank.
Thieves Caught on CCTV in Relaxed Manner
The 22-second CCTV clip reveals a thief wearing a black jacket and cap strolling inside the bank with a backpack filled with stolen items. Another accomplice, seen in a white hoodie, collects the wires of a grinder used to break open the lockers. Despite their faces being covered, their casual movements suggest an unsettling confidence as if they were working in their own space.
In one frame, a thief can be seen sitting calmly on a chair, taking a break from the heist. The footage also captures one thief signaling towards the CCTV camera while another tries to cover his face using the hood of his jacket.
Photographs Reveal More Details
Photographs extracted from the footage further illustrate the incident. One thief, wearing a striped muffler and cap, is seen talking on a mobile phone, holding it cautiously with both hands to conceal his activity. In another image, two thieves, faces covered with mufflers and caps, are seen discussing something. A third photo shows a thief lounging comfortably on a chair, his face fully covered, indicating their complete disregard for being caught.
Arrests and Investigation Updates
The Lucknow Police have arrested three suspects: Arvind Kumar, Balram Kumar, and Kailash Bind, all from Bihar. The Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Law & Order, Amit Verma, revealed that the suspects would soon be taken into police custody for detailed interrogation. The investigation aims to uncover their movements after arriving in Lucknow on December 17 and to identify potential accomplices, including the mastermind Vipin.
Gangster Act and Property Seizure Planned
The police plan to charge the culprits under the Gangster Act and confiscate properties acquired through criminal activities under Section 14(1) of the Act. Efforts are underway to trace these assets, and a team may travel to Bihar for further investigation.
Gold Loan Lockers Left Untouched
Interestingly, the thieves avoided lockers containing gold pledged for loans. This has raised suspicions about the possibility of prior knowledge regarding the contents of these lockers. The JCP has directed the Chinahat Police and bank officials to investigate whether confidential information was leaked and to examine the role of bank employees in the incident.
Security Lapses Under Scrutiny
A separate inquiry is being conducted into the bank’s security arrangements. Preliminary findings suggest that significant lapses in security enabled the thieves to break open 42 lockers in such a short span of time. The JCP assured that the investigation into these lapses would conclude soon, and appropriate actions would be taken against those found responsible.
The Heist’s Impact
This audacious theft has not only raised concerns about bank security but also highlighted the need for stringent measures to safeguard customer assets. As investigations progress, authorities are determined to bring the culprits to justice and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.