Argus News - Armed Robbers Loot Cash, Jewellery Worth Rs 4 Crore From Bank Of Maharashtra In Odisha’s Barabil

Keonjhar, Jan 19: In a shocking daylight incident, six armed robbers stormed into the Bank of Maharashtra branch at Barabil in Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Monday afternoon, looting jewellery worth over Rs 4 crore and cash amounting to Rs 8 lakh.

The daring heist has sent shockwaves across the region, raising serious concerns about security in financial institutions.

The Incident
According to Police sources, the masked assailants arrived on motorcycles and entered the branch located near the Truck Owners’ Association office on Balanai Road at around 2:05 PM. The area was relatively deserted at the time. Inside the bank, two customers, the branch manager, and the cashier were present, sources said.

Brandishing firearms, the robbers allegedly threatened the staff and customers, forcing the manager to open the locker under the threat of being shot. They confiscated mobile phones from everyone inside and locked them in a room before proceeding with the loot.

The gang remained inside for nearly 15–20 minutes, collecting gold ornaments pledged under gold loans and cash reserves. Before fleeing, they also took away the CCTV DVR to erase evidence.

Eyewitness Accounts
Subhas Adhikari, a witness, and branch manager Pankaj Kumar Barnwal said that the bank primarily deals in gold loans, making it a target for such crimes. Police suspect the gang had conducted prior reconnaissance before executing the robbery.

Police Action
Meanwhile, Keonjhar SP Nitin Kushalkar reached the spot and initiated a thorough investigation. Police have launched a manhunt, sealing connecting routes and checking vehicles. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scrutinized to trace the robbers’ movements.

Security Concerns
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in banks dealing with high-value assets like gold loans. Authorities are now under pressure to strengthen security measures and reassure customers.