Bengaluru was shaken on Wednesday by a daring heist in which several unidentified men allegedly posing as officials of the Reserve Bank of India intercepted an ATM cash van and made away with ₹7 crore. The incident, described by Karnataka Home Minister H. Parameshwara as unprecedented, has triggered a massive police response, with roadblocks set up across the city and multiple teams deployed both on the ground and in control rooms. A day after the shocking robbery, a CCTV clip has surfaced showing the cash van leaving the bank, providing the first glimpse into the audacious operation that has left authorities scrambling to trace the culprits.

According to preliminary investigations, the heist took place near the historic Ashoka Pillar area while the vehicle was transporting cash from a bank branch in JP Nagar. As per initial reports, a group of men arrived in a car adorned with a “Government of India” sticker and intercepted the cash van. Claiming to verify documents, the suspects allegedly forced the staff inside the van into their vehicle along with the cash. The men then drove towards Dairy Circle, where they reportedly released the staff and sped away with the money. The CCTV footage, which has since circulated among law enforcement agencies and the media, shows the van leaving the bank, hinting at the calculated nature of the crime.

Addressing the press on Thursday, Karnataka Home Minister H. Parameshwara noted the uniqueness of the incident. “Something like this has never happened in Bengaluru before,” he said, emphasizing the high level of planning and audacity involved. He added that the perpetrators seemed to have prior knowledge of ATM cash deposits and hinted at a possible leak of sensitive information. “We have just gotten a lead about whether anyone was among those depositing money,” the Home Minister said, suggesting that insiders could have facilitated the heist.

City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh provided further details on the operation and the ongoing investigation. He confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon and stated that about ₹7 crore were reportedly lost, though the exact figure is yet to be verified as the transport driver had not provided complete information immediately. The commissioner also mentioned that multiple roadblocks had been established across Bengaluru and that various police teams were actively deployed to track down the suspects. “Two Deputy Commissioners of Police and a Joint Commissioner are working on the case,” Singh said, underlining the seriousness with which the city police are approaching the investigation.

The authorities have begun reviewing over 50 CCTV footages from various locations to map the route taken by the suspects and identify the vehicles involved. While the investigation is in its early stages, officials have stated that they are verifying the number of security personnel in the cash van at the time of the robbery. “Information was not shared immediately, there was a delay… we are looking into all angles,” Commissioner Singh remarked.

An FIR has been registered based on complaints filed by the Branch Manager of CMS Inno System Ltd., the company responsible for transporting the cash. The FIR cites sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relevant to armed robbery and abduction. According to the complaint, the company vehicle left for the bank at approximately 9:30 a.m. At around 12:24 p.m., the staff withdrew ₹7.11 crore from the HDFC Currency Chest located in JP Nagar and loaded it into the vehicle. While en route towards Lalbagh Siddapura Gate, the van was intercepted by a white SUV. Six men exited the SUV, claiming to be RBI officials, and allegedly took the van staff—Afthab and two gunmen named Rajanna and Tammayya—into their car. They then forced the van driver to continue driving, eventually robbing the entire sum before fleeing the scene.

The mode of execution, involving impersonation of government officials and the use of a seemingly official vehicle, points to a high degree of premeditation and insider knowledge. Police sources indicated that the suspects may have monitored ATM replenishment schedules, suggesting the possibility of collaboration with someone who had access to operational information about the cash transport process.

Home Minister Parameshwara expressed his concern over the breach of security protocols, stating, “The incident shouldn’t have happened. Who is involved? Who gave them the information about money being transported?” He also highlighted the unprecedented nature of the crime, describing it as “a first of its kind” in Bengaluru, and assured that law enforcement agencies were leaving no stone unturned to apprehend the culprits. “We will find out who the perpetrators are, whether they are from our state or from other states, and nab them,” he asserted, promising swift action and a thorough investigation.

Officials confirmed that the investigation would include tracing the flow of money post-heist, examining potential connections to organized crime networks, and verifying the backgrounds of all individuals associated with the cash transport operation. “We have got some important leads, and they are being actively followed up. The culprits will be nabbed at the earliest,” the Home Minister added, underscoring the urgency of resolving the case.

The emergence of CCTV footage has provided investigators with critical visual evidence, which may help in identifying the vehicles and individuals involved. Police are also seeking to cross-reference the footage with traffic camera data across Bengaluru to reconstruct the escape route and track potential accomplices. The level of coordination required for such a heist has prompted authorities to consider multiple angles, including the possible involvement of professional criminals from other states or regions.

The incident has raised questions about the security protocols for transporting large sums of cash in urban areas, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, which are densely populated and have complex traffic networks. While cash-in-transit operations typically involve armed guards and GPS-tracked vehicles, the use of impersonation tactics in this heist indicates a significant lapse in verification procedures and communication protocols. Authorities have suggested that this could prompt a review of security standards and stricter compliance measures for future cash transport operations.

Local residents and banking personnel have expressed shock over the audacity of the crime. Witnesses at the scene described a brief but chaotic encounter, noting that the suspects executed the heist with remarkable precision and disappeared quickly before any immediate intervention could occur. The incident has drawn widespread media attention and public discussion, particularly regarding the vulnerability of financial logistics in urban centers.

As the investigation continues, authorities are appealing to the public and anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Police have emphasized that tips and leads could prove instrumental in tracing the perpetrators and recovering the stolen funds. Meanwhile, CMS Inno System Ltd. and associated banks are cooperating fully with the investigation, providing statements, vehicle logs, and security personnel details to assist law enforcement in piecing together the sequence of events.

In summary, the ₹7 crore ATM cash van heist in Bengaluru represents a meticulously planned and executed robbery that has exposed gaps in cash transport security and highlighted the role of potential insider information. With CCTV footage now in hand, and police teams deployed across the city, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to track the suspects and ensure accountability. The incident not only underscores the sophistication of modern criminal tactics but also reinforces the need for enhanced vigilance, stringent protocols, and rapid response mechanisms to protect high-value cash movements in urban centers.

As the city awaits the apprehension of the culprits, the Bengaluru police and Karnataka state administration have committed to a thorough investigation, promising that justice will be served and measures will be strengthened to prevent any recurrence of such a daring crime.

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