A daring daylight bank robbery has sent shockwaves through Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, after armed criminals targeted a busy financial establishment in the Golmuri police station jurisdiction. Five armed individuals barged into the Canara Bank branch, taking total control of the premises under the threat of weapons. The perpetrators managed to escape with roughly 42 lakh rupees in hard currency and approximately 24 kilograms of gold ornaments stored inside the bank lockers. According to senior banking officials, the stolen gold is valued at around 33 crore rupees in the current market.
Staff Held at Gunpoint Inside Branch
Details regarding the extensive losses were officially shared by Canara Bank Assistant General Manager Magesh Ramanathan. He confirmed that the gang arrived at the facility carrying firearms and swiftly subdued the staff members at gunpoint, leaving them unable to raise an alarm. The intruders then took charge of the cash counter and forced their way into the gold storage vault. In a swift operation, they packed around 42 lakh rupees in cash alongside 24 kilograms of deposited gold jewellery before walking out of the building unchecked.
Perpetrators Changed Clothes Before Fleeing
Visual evidence gathered from the closed-circuit television cameras installed within and around the bank revealed a calculated getaway strategy. Immediately after exiting the bank, the five criminals changed their clothing to disguise their appearances. To prevent coordinated pursuit, the suspects dispersed and fled using separate routes. Law enforcement agencies are thoroughly reviewing the surveillance footage to identify the culprits, track their physical traits, and map their escape paths.
SIT Formed as Manhunt Expands to Four States
Even after 24 hours had elapsed following the brazen heist, investigators had yet to achieve a major breakthrough in apprehending the gang. In response to the scale of the crime, police authorities constituted a special investigation team comprising roughly 25 personnel dedicated exclusively to the probe. Search operations have expanded well beyond local borders, with tracking teams conducting raids across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal. Specialized units have also been dispatched across adjacent districts bordering Jamshedpur to seal off exit routes.
Forensic Examination and Security Concerns
As a precautionary measure and to facilitate a thorough investigation, the branch remained closed to regular operations on Friday. A forensic science laboratory team arrived from Ranchi to inspect the scene, dusting for fingerprints and gathering critical scientific evidence from the vault and entry areas. Local police stated that technical clues and surveillance data are being processed to solve the case promptly. Nevertheless, an armed heist taking place during broad daylight in a bustling commercial locality has raised serious concerns regarding street-level security and police patrolling.
Distressed Customers Demand Answers on Vault Safety
As word of the multimillion-rupee heist spread across the city, dozens of anxious account holders rushed to the Golmuri branch premises. Many customers had deposited family heirlooms and valuable jewellery into the lockers, believing bank storage was safer than keeping valuables at home. With the repository breached, account holders expressed deep frustration and uncertainty over the fate of their assets. Patrons repeatedly approached bank personnel seeking clear updates on the status of their individual lockers, but the lack of immediate information has added to their distress.
