Rs 12 Crore Bank Robbery in Mangaluru: Armed Gang Strikes Again in Karnataka
Mangaluru, Karnataka | January 17, 2025: In a shocking and violent robbery, an armed gang stole Rs 12 crore from the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank in Mangaluru on Friday. This heist is the second major bank robbery in Karnataka in just two days, signaling an alarming trend of bank robberies in the state.
The Mangaluru Bank Robbery: At around noon on Friday, a group of six armed men stormed into the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank branch, located in the Kotekar area of Ullal, Mangaluru. The robbers threatened the bank employees with firearms and looted cash and gold worth a total of Rs 12 crore. The stolen items included gold worth approximately Rs 7 crore and cash amounting to Rs 5 crore.
The well-coordinated robbery took place during the busiest part of the day, but fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported. Local authorities have since launched a detailed investigation into the incident, focusing on gathering evidence and apprehending the criminals.
Chief Minister’s Response to the Robbery: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was in Mangaluru at the time of the robbery, immediately convened an emergency meeting with top police officials. During the meeting, he expressed concern over the growing trend of bank robberies and vowed to take swift action to ensure the safety of financial institutions.
“We are fully committed to catching the criminals and bringing them to justice. The security of our banks and citizens will remain a priority,” Siddaramaiah stated.
Police Investigations and Efforts: In the wake of the robbery, Mangaluru police have been working diligently to investigate the incident. They have reviewed CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas, and are conducting interviews with witnesses and employees. The police have also set up a special task force to track down the armed gang responsible for the heist.
“We are using all resources available to us to solve this case and apprehend the suspects,” said a senior police official.
Worries Over Bank Robbery Surge in Karnataka: The robbery in Mangaluru is the second major heist in Karnataka in just two days. On January 15, a similar robbery occurred in Bengaluru, prompting authorities to take immediate action. Both robberies have raised significant concerns about the safety of banks, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where security measures may be inadequate.
Experts have called for better security measures, including the installation of advanced surveillance systems and greater police presence around financial institutions.
As the investigation continues, the people of Mangaluru and Karnataka hope that the criminals will be swiftly apprehended. The rising trend of bank robberies has sparked discussions on the need for enhanced security at financial institutions. The Karnataka government has pledged to take stronger actions to safeguard public and private assets, ensuring such incidents do not recur.