Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh – In a major breakthrough, Sri Sathya Sai district police have arrested the second key member of an inter-state gang involved in the sensational robbery at State Bank of India’s Thumukunta branch, recovering gold ornaments worth ₹3.5 crore. The total recovery in the case now reaches ₹5.5 crore, bringing police closer to cracking one of the region’s most audacious bank heists.
Sri Sathya Sai Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar identified the latest arrestee as Mohammed Ishar Khan alias Ishar, a resident of Karau district in Rajasthan. The accused was apprehended under a PT warrant at an upgraded police station, along with the recovered gold, marking a significant milestone in the investigation launched after the July 25, 2025 robbery.
The Tumukunta Heist
The robbery occurred at the SBI branch in Thumukunta Industrial Area under Hindupur rural limits, where burglars made off with 11.4 kg of gold ornaments valued at approximately ₹11 crore and ₹37.92 lakh in cash. The gang executed a meticulously planned break‑in, exploiting the absence of security personnel overnight and fleeing with the loot before dawn.
Police formed special teams led by Hindupur DSP KV Mahesh, coordinating across states including Anantapur, Chittoor, Tirupati, Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu to track the perpetrators. Their efforts paid off in August 2025 with the arrest of prime accused Anil Kumar Panwar, an ex‑BSF jawan from Haryana, from whom 2 kg of gold worth ₹2 crore was recovered, along with the getaway car and motorcycle.
Habitual Offenders Busted
SP Satish Kumar revealed that both Panwar and Ishar are habitual bank burglars with a combined 14 criminal cases registered across multiple states, including major robberies in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The duo specialised in reconnaissance of unguarded financial institutions, striking with precision to minimise detection risks.
Ishar, the Rajasthan native, was hiding out after the heist, believed to have handled the disposal of stolen gold through underground networks. The ₹3.5 crore recovery from his possession pushes the total retrieved to ₹5.5 crore, leaving approximately ₹5.5 crore worth of gold and the cash still outstanding.
Multi‑State Police Operation
The arrests showcase seamless inter‑state coordination, with Deputy SP KV Mahesh’s teams travelling extensively to interrogate suspects and analyse technical evidence like CCTV footage, mobile tower data and gold transaction trails. Police teams from Haryana and Rajasthan assisted in surveillance, leading to Ishar’s custody under the PT warrant.
Forensic examination of the recovered ornaments confirmed their origin from the SBI heist, matching serial numbers and hallmark details with the bank’s inventory. The operation was commended by district authorities, with DSP Mahesh and his team receiving recognition for their persistence.
Gang’s Criminal Network
Investigators have uncovered that the Haryana–Rajasthan gang targeted small-town bank branches with minimal security, conducting weeks of surveillance before strikes. Ishar’s 14 prior cases span financial heists in Tamil Nadu, where he served a five‑year term in Coimbatore Sub Jail until June 2025, and other states.
The gang’s modus operandi involved using stolen or disguised vehicles, Hindi communication to confuse locals, and melting gold for black‑market sales. Police suspect additional accomplices remain at large, with three special teams now pursuing the balance recovery and network dismantlement.
Implications for Bank Security
The case has spotlighted vulnerabilities in rural bank branches, prompting the State Level Bankers’ Committee to mandate enhanced night patrols, CCTV upgrades and armed guards at SBI and similar outlets. Financial institutions across Andhra Pradesh are reviewing safe storage protocols and alarm systems in light of the Thumukunta breach.
SP Satish Kumar assured the public that the remaining loot will be recovered soon, with the investigation expanding to trace gold buyers and fence networks. The arrests not only resolve a high‑profile local case but also weaken an interstate robbery syndicate plaguing southern India. For in-depth report read here.
Path Forward
With two key accused in custody, police aim to file chargesheets within 90 days, seeking maximum punishment under robbery, criminal conspiracy and interstate theft provisions. The ₹5.5 crore recovery demonstrates effective policing but underscores the need for sustained vigilance against professional gangs targeting financial institutions. Discover more breaking stories in India News Section.
