Patna: In a breakthrough in the high-profile bank robbery case involving 14 kg of gold and cash in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, the Bihar STF, in a joint operation with Jabalpur Police, arrested two accused from Gaya district and recovered 349 gm of the stolen gold along with an illegal firearm. The robbery took place at the ESAF Bank branch in Khitola, Jabalpur district, on Aug 11, 2025, the STF said on Sunday.Armed miscreants had allegedly looted around 14.873 kg of gold jewellery and over Rs5 lakh in cash from the bank. Following the incident, Madhya Pradesh Police launched a massive manhunt for the accused.During the investigation, police traced links to Bihar, following which Jabalpur Police sought the assistance of the Bihar STF.
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The Bihar STF, along with Imamganj police and Bodhgaya SWAT team in Gaya district, launched a special operation. Acting on technical inputs and local intelligence, the teams raided multiple locations and arrested the main accused, Sunil Paswan, on the night of July 25.STF DG Kundan Krishnan said, “During interrogation, Sunil provided crucial information about other gang members and the stolen property. On his tip-off, police arrested Shrawan Kumar alias Chhotu Mahto from the Imamganj police station area. He was responsible for disposing of the stolen gold.”Based on Shrawan’s disclosure, police recovered 349 gm of gold, while a country-made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered on Sunil’s disclosure. The weapon was allegedly used in the robbery or concealed after the crime.“The gang used to flee to other states after committing robberies and gradually sell the stolen jewellery in the market. Interrogation of both accused is continuing to trace the remaining gang members and recover the rest of the stolen gold,” Krishnan added.
