The recent bank robbery at an SBI branch in Surat, which occurred on April 27 and involved a theft of Rs 50 lakh, has turned into a complex investigation resembling a crime drama. Initial assessments suggested the heist was spur-of-the-moment, but further inquiries revealed extensive planning by the alleged perpetrators. The police noted that they have arrested Vikas Kumar, also known as Chandan, and his associate Sanjit, who is also referred to as Sachin, after a significant multi-state operation that covered nearly 7,000 kilometres.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported that, up to this point, they have taken seven individuals into custody in relation to this case. However, police have only recovered Rs 2.7 lakh from the total amount stolen, indicating that much of the money remains unaccounted for.

Investigators disclosed that the robbery was not a random act. Instead, it was executed based on a well-orchestrated plan that involved various individuals who communicated exclusively through the encrypted messaging app, Signal. This strategy allowed them to coordinate without personal acquaintance, preserving the anonymity of each member.

Planning of the Operation

The mastermind behind the operation, Vikas Kumar, hailed from Muzaffarpur and was equipped with skills gained from an ethical hacking course. His prior residency in Surat facilitated his understanding of the area, which he utilised in the robbery’s preparation. Authorities stated that he meticulously studied CCTV coverage, bank layouts via Google Maps, and conducted on-ground reconnaissance to assess security measures.

The initial plan was allegedly inspired by Kundan Bhagat, an inmate who, while incarcerated, instructed Chandan via the Signal app. He directed Chandan to lead the robbery and made arrangements with an additional associate, Alex, known as Sumit Gandhi. The planning team narrowed their focus to three potential SBI branches, ultimately selecting the Long Hanuman Road branch due to strategic considerations, including the timing of reduced police presence attributed to ongoing local body elections in Gujarat.

On the day of the heist, however, the execution did not go as intended. The suspects found that they could not access the lockers as planned, prompting them to abandon the operation and flee across multiple states. In an attempt to evade law enforcement, they frequently changed their mobile phones and SIM cards.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

The suspects reportedly traversed several locations, including Bharuch, Ahmedabad, and Bihar, before their eventual capture in a forested area bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Law enforcement officials managed to locate them after implementing sustained intelligence-gathering operations and surveillance measures.

The police utilised advanced techniques, including technical tracking and video call monitoring, alongside local intelligence to trace the suspects’ whereabouts. As part of the operation, authorities recovered four mobile phones and multiple SIM cards, which may provide further insights into the group’s activities.

Investigations continue as police work to identify the remaining members of the accomplice group and recover the outstanding amount of stolen funds. Authorities indicated that further arrests are likely as they delve deeper into this complex case.

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