Bargarh: In a major breakthrough, the Bargarh Town police today arrested five persons including three women in connection with the burglary of Bank of Baroda (BoB)’s Bhatli branch in Bargarh district in the late night on September 19.
Talking to media persons today, DIG Pratik Mohanty said the Bargarh police had registered a complaint by the bank authorities on September 20. Acting on the complaint, a special team formed by the Bargarh SP Jugal Kishore had carried out investigation and interrogated a number of suspects.
“In course of investigation, police had kept a watch on Susant Bagarti, a former employee of a water pouch factory which is situated near the bank. Since Susant was arrested earlier for a theft case, police brought him for interrogation and he admitted to have committed the burglary. On the basis of his statement, police later arrested his brother Rupa Bagarti, sister Banita Bagarti, mother Bishu Bagarti and his neighbour Mamata Mahananda for assisting him in the burglary. All the accused, who belong to Mastaratikra under Bargarh Municipality, were arrested from Padhanpalli area”, Mohanty informed.
He further said the police seized cash worth Rs 35,72,910, 2386.08 grams of gold jewellery, a TVS Jupiter Scooter and a HTC mobile phone from the possession of the accused.
Asked whether the accused were able to burgle the bank due to lack of security, Mohanty said there is a security compendium and guidelines for the banks. “In this case, there is a violation of the guidelines. Investigation is on to identify the liability of the concerned bank official. We are presently examining the administrative and criminal liability in connection with the burglary”, he added.
Talking about the lack of security measures, the DIG said the police, while interrogating Susant, the prime accused, came to know that after entering into the bank office by breaking open the window grill, he opened the locker room with the help of the keys which was inside the bank. “Another lapse was that the bank officials did not follow double lock system. Besides, the CCTV was unplugged. Last but not the least, the siren of the bank was deactivated as the bank officials was busy in shifting the bank’s branch to other part of the town”, he pointed out.