Man robs Nagpur SBI branch with chilli powder, caught in 30 minutes
Accused hit by share market losses threw chilli powder in staff's eyes and fled with Rs 4.53 lakh from an SBI branch in Nagpur
The daylight robbery at an SBI branch in Nagpur's Sakkardara area looked like something out of a film. A young man threw sharp red chilli powder into the eyes of bank employees and fled with lakhs of rupees in cash. Police questioning has now revealed the real reason behind the robbery.
Detailed questioning by Sakkardara police found that the robbery was driven by heavy losses in the share market and the debt burden that followed. The accused has been identified as Suraj Bhojraj Borkar, a resident of Tatoli village in Bhiwapur tehsil of Nagpur district. Suraj studied up to B.Sc. and worked as a medical representative.
Suraj had developed a habit of investing money in the share market. Repeated losses pushed him into heavy debt. He owed money to both private lenders and a bank, totalling around Rs 5 lakh. The bank and lenders were constantly pressuring him for repayment. Tired of the pressure and wanting to repay the debt quickly, he planned the robbery.
Suraj prepared for the robbery in advance. He bought red chilli powder from a shop and, on Thursday evening, entered the SBI Sakkardara branch opposite Chaudhary Hospital at Bhandeplot Chowk posing as an ordinary customer. Two women and three men employees were present at the bank at the time. Getting his chance, the accused threw chilli powder on their faces and eyes. The burning sensation caused screaming and panic among the employees, and taking advantage of this, Suraj grabbed Rs 4.53 lakh in cash from the counter and fled.
Sakkardara police swung into action as soon as they learnt of the daylight robbery. Under the leadership of police inspector Ramesh Khune, beat marshals and police teams immediately scanned the bank's CCTV footage and set up checkpoints across the city. As a result of the swift police action, the accused Suraj Borkar was caught within 30 minutes of the robbery, from behind Suryoday Hospital in NIT Society.
Police have recovered the entire robbed amount of Rs 4.53 lakh from the accused. A case has been registered and Suraj has been arrested. Sub-inspector Mahesh Pandey is further investigating the case.
