3 arrested in Kapurthala bank robbery case

In a significant breakthrough in the sensational bank robbery case that shook the region, the Kapurthala police have arrested three persons and recovered ₹28.67 lakh looted cash, two pistols and two vehicles used in the crime. The robbery had taken place at the HDFC Bank branch in Rehana Jattan village, Phagwara, on May 30.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, SSP Gaurav Toora confirmed the arrests. According to Toora, three masked individuals had stormed the bank branch at Rehana Jattan on May 30 and fled with a large sum of money, triggering an intensive manhunt and a statewide alert.

The case was registered at the Rawalpindi Police Station in Kapurthala.

To crack the case, special directives were issued to senior officers, including Prabhjot Singh Virk, (SP Investigation) and Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, (SP Phagwara).

Under their close supervision, dedicated teams were formed, led by DSP Bharat Bhushan (Phagwara), DSP Parminder Singh (Investigation), Inspector Jarnail Singh (CIA Staff Kapurthala), and SI Major Singh, SHO of Rawalpindi Police Station.

The first arrest was made on June 7, when the police nabbed Gurmindar Singh, a resident of Kahalwa village, Kartarpur. Upon his arrest, the police recovered ₹13.10 lakh looted cash, a .32-bore pistol, and two cartridges. Following intensive interrogation, Gurmindar Singh revealed the identities of his accomplices Navjot Singh of Kahalwa, and Jorawar Singh Sodhi from Dhaliwal Qadian village.

Acting swiftly on the information, police teams tracked the duo to Mathura. The arrest operation, carried out with precision, led to the seizure of a white-coloured Innova Crysta bearing registration number Punjab 08 FB 0039 and ₹2.02 lakh stolen cash from their possession.

Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of the unregistered white Verna car used during the heist, another ₹13.55 lakh looted money, and a .32-bore pistol. The total recovery made so far stands at ₹28.67 lakh, two pistols, two cartridges, and two vehicles suspected to have been used in the planning and execution of the crime.

Based on the evidence gathered and confessional statements during custodial interrogation, Gurmindar has been identified as the mastermind of the robbery. Police officials confirmed that he not only planned the operation, but also recruited his accomplices and handled logistical coordination.

“The operation was executed with precision, and we are continuing interrogation of the accused. More revelations are expected as the investigation progresses,” said SSP Toora, praising the efforts of the police team for their diligence and coordination across districts and state borders.

The recovery of such a substantial amount and weapons has brought considerable relief to the local population and reaffirms the Kapurthala police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.

The investigation is still ongoing and the police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests in the coming days