Haryana bank robbery cracked

Police arrests two, recovers 10 kg jewellery

Chandigarh: Three days after the daring bank heist in Sonepat, police on Thursday claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of two persons and recovery of jewellery weighing 10 kg from them.

In another related development, the owner of the abandoned house, through which a 125-feet-long tunnel was dug to the Punjab National Bank locker room, allegedly committed suicide after consuming some poisonous substance soon after he was booked, police said.

"We have arrested two persons. Both of them belong to Katwal village in Sonepat district. We have recovered nearly 10 kg jewellery and some cash from them. We have also videographed the entire recovery," Rohtak Range IG, A K Rao said.

Sonepat Superintendent of Police Arun Nehra said the accused have been identified as Surender alias Kala alias doctor, who worked as a laboratory technician, and Balraj alias Ballu.

They are being interrogated at Sonepat, he said, adding preliminary investigations reveal that both were notorious characters of the area, though they did not have any serious criminal history.

Nehra said police had also zeroed-in on another suspect Satish, and "he too would be nabbed soon".

Police has recovered Rs 60,000 cash, two gold rings, one gold chain and ornaments from Surender.

Nehra said based on statement of the accused, the owner of the abandoned house was also been booked, but he allegedly committed suicide.

"The owner of the house, Mahipal, actively supported and connived with the main accused and also played the role of the advisor in the incident. However, Mahipal consumed some poisonous tablets and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared as brought dead. A case of suicide had been registered," the SP said.

The robbers had dug a 125-feet-long and 2.5 feet wide tunnel to the bank from an house, lying unoccupied for past 4-5 years, to carry out a Bollywood style heist.