Surat - In a significant success for the Surat Crime Branch, four accused, including a notorious gangster from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested in connection with the brazen daylight robbery at the Bank of Maharashtra in Vanj village near Sachin. The culprits, armed with pistols and disguised with helmets, took bank employees and customers hostage and fled with over ₹13.26 lakhs.
On August 11th, around 11:30 am, five unknown individuals brandishing weapons like pistols and revolvers entered the Bank of Maharashtra in Sachin Vanj village, wearing helmets and handkerchiefs to conceal their faces. After taking the employees and customers hostage, they looted the bank and escaped on motorcycles. Sachin police promptly registered a robbery case and began an investigation.
Considering the gravity of the bank robbery, various Crime Branch teams were deputed for the investigation. Technical surveillance and human intelligence led to specific information about the involvement of Uttar Pradesh-based gangster Vipin Singh and his gang.
The Crime Branch team conducted a covert operation in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, where they arrested four accused and recovered ₹50,000 in cash. The accused are:
- Arbaaz Khan Shaan Muhammad Khan Gujar, age 21
- Vipinsingh Somendrasingh Thakur, age 38
- Anujpratap Singh, age 21
- Kurkan Ahmed Mohd Saif Gujar, age 22
All the accused are residents of various villages in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh.
During interrogation, Vipinsingh revealed that he has been arrested in more than 32 cases under the Arms Act. He was released from jail approximately a year and a half ago and planned the robbery when money became an urgent need. Vipinsingh used to visit Surat for retailing sarees and was familiar with the local geography.
The gang had initially planned to rob a jeweler's shop in Chalthan, Surat rural area, but shifted their focus to the Bank of Maharashtra after noticing the lack of security and staff. They conducted reconnaissance of the bank for 3 to 4 days before executing the robbery.
Police Commissioner Ajay Tomar, in his press conference, emphasized the dedication of the Surat Crime Branch in solving the case. The investigation into the robbery not only led to the arrest of the perpetrators but also unveiled a wider network of criminal activity, including the accused's previous involvement in dacoity and Arms Act violations.
The arrest has provided a vital breakthrough in combating organized crime in the region, and the police's relentless pursuit is a reassurance to the public that such heinous acts will not go unpunished.
