Vijayapura police have arrested three individuals, including a senior bank official, in connection with the robbery at Canara Bank’s Managuli branch that took place between May 23 and 25. Among those arrested is Vijayakumar Mohanara Miriyala (41), the Senior Manager of the bank, along with Chandrashekar Kotilingam Nerella (38) and Sunil Narrasimhalu Moka (40). Police recovered gold jewellery and bars worth ₹10.75 crore, along with two vehicles used in the heist.
The gang had meticulously planned the break-in, bypassed security systems, and used a duplicate key to access a specific locker containing gold, leaving another untouched. Initial reports suggested a forced entry by cutting window grills, but further investigation indicated insider involvement. To mislead investigators, the suspects planted items hinting at black magic, including a black doll placed near a broken window.
The robbers also removed CCTV equipment to avoid identification. Originally, the bank reported the theft of 58.97 kg of gold worth ₹53.26 crore and over ₹5 lakh in cash.
SP Laxman Nimbaragi formed eight teams to crack the case, involving senior officers and technical staff. The accused were presented before a court in Vijayapura on June 26, while efforts to track down other suspects and recover the remaining valuables are ongoing.