Bhopal Duo Apprehended for Sophisticated Bank Heists in Rajkot
In a startling case of audacious theft, two men from Bhopal were arrested in Rajkot for allegedly stealing a total of Rs 90,000 from the cash counters of five different banks. The arrests were made by the A Division police, who successfully recovered the stolen cash and registered five separate complaints of theft against the accused under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Modus Operandi: A Clever Currency Exchange Scam
According to DCP Zone 1 Hetal Patel, the duo, identified as Mahesh Gurjar, 25, and Saurabh Kushwaha, 26, executed their crimes with a well-rehearsed sleight-of-hand trick. They posed as ordinary customers seeking to exchange currency notes. "They would approach a bank and request to exchange a bundle of Rs 200 notes for Rs 500 notes," Patel explained. While engaging the cashier in conversation, Gurjar would discreetly remove Rs 10,000 worth of Rs 500 notes from the new bundle.
He then returned the remaining notes, falsely claiming he needed specific serial numbers, and took back his original Rs 200 notes. By the time the cashier realized the shortage, the two had already left the premises. This method allowed them to operate despite the presence of security guards and functioning CCTV cameras at the banks.
Targeted Banks and Police Investigation
The thieves specifically targeted private banks and small finance banks within the jurisdictions of the A Division, Gandhigram, and Rajkot taluka police stations. After receiving multiple complaints from these institutions, the police formed several specialized teams to investigate the pattern of thefts.
The breakthrough came when A Division police received credible intelligence that the suspects were located near Shastri Maidan, leading to their swift apprehension. During interrogation, Gurjar revealed that he told bank staff the currency was needed for a wedding, with the groom requiring a garland made of notes bearing specific serial numbers—a fabricated story to justify his unusual request.
Roles and Criminal History
The investigation revealed that Gurjar was the primary executor of the thefts, while Kushwaha acted as a lookout during the operations. Further probing uncovered that Gurjar already has a fraud case registered against him in Odisha, indicating a possible history of similar crimes.
Police also discovered that the duo used a two-wheeler with a Madhya Pradesh registration plate to travel between the targeted banks. Critical evidence, including CCTV footage from the banks and the vehicle's number plate, played a pivotal role in identifying and tracking down the suspects.
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
Authorities are now actively checking whether Gurjar and Kushwaha carried out similar crimes in other cities, given their mobile modus operandi and interstate travel. The case highlights vulnerabilities in bank security protocols, even with visible measures like guards and cameras in place.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for financial institutions to enhance vigilance during currency exchange transactions and train staff to recognize such deceptive tactics. The police have urged other banks to review their security footage and report any suspicious activities that match this pattern.
