Last Updated:January 18, 2025, 02:13 IST
The deceased, Giri Venkatesh, and his colleague Shivakumar arrived near the ATM at the Shivaji Park area in Bidar, where the State Bank of India (SBI) main office was, to refill the machine. While Venkatesh succumbed to five gunshot wounds, Shivakumar is being treated at…Read More
CCTV footage captured two masked robbers gunning down Giri and Shivakumar and then hurriedly leaving on a motorcycle with a large bag of cash. Image/X
One person was injured while another succumbed to bullet wounds in Karnataka’s Bidar after robbers opened fire at them when they arrived near a bank to refill an ATM with cash.
The shocking incident took place at around 10.50 am on Thursday, under the Market Police Station limits in Bidar. The deceased, Giri Venkatesh, and his colleague Shivakumar arrived near the ATM in the Shivaji Park area, where the State Bank of India (SBI) main office was, to refill the machine. While Venkatesh succumbed to five gunshot wounds, Shivakumar is being treated at a private hospital with grievous injuries.
CCTV footage captured two masked robbers gunning down Giri and Shivakumar and then hurriedly leaving on a motorcycle with a large bag of cash. Mobile phone footage from a passerby also showed bank staff member Giri Venkatesh struggling in his dying moments at the crime scene, while the robbers left with the money. It is estimated that the robbers escaped with around 90 lakh rupees in cash.
Kalaburagi DIG Ajay Hilori and Bidar SP Pradeep Gunti rushed to the scene. CCTV footage also showed the robbers escaping with the money, and the Bidar police have formed several teams to conduct a manhunt.
The shocking heist has raised several concerns over possible lapses in the handling of such large amounts of cash. The shattered family of the deceased gathered around the hospital where Giri lay, protesting the incident while demanding justice.
Bidar MP Sagar Khandre, who arrived at the hospital, expressed his shock, claiming that the area had never seen anything like this. He also took ownership of the possible lapses in the shocking robbery, saying that he and the government would look into the entire episode. Khandre also announced compensation of 8 lakh rupees from the state’s social welfare department and added that the government would ensure a job for a member of Venkatesh’s family.
On Friday, a gang of four robbers, wearing masks and armed with weapons, entered a cooperative society bank at Kotekar near Mangaluru and made off with valuables worth about Rs 4 crore. The robbery occurred at Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakara Sangha Bank, located about 15 km from Mangaluru City, between 1 pm and 1.20 pm.
Police said that the gang, reportedly speaking in Hindi and armed with machetes and a pistol, threatened the staff and forced the manager to open the strong room. They looted cash and gold jewellery stored in a locker.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who was visiting Mangaluru, held an emergency meeting with senior police officials and issued strict instructions for the swift apprehension of the culprits.
