A major breakthrough has emerged in the ₹50 lakh bank robbery at SBI’s Varachha branch in Surat, Gujarat, which investigators now believe was orchestrated as part of a large inter-state criminal syndicate allegedly operated from inside a Bihar prison.
Mastermind Suspected to Be Operating From Jail
According to investigative inputs, the mastermind behind the high-profile heist is identified as notorious criminal Kundan Kumar alias Kundan Bhagat, currently lodged in Beur Jail in Bihar. Authorities suspect that the entire operation was planned and coordinated using encrypted communication applications, enabling the accused to direct activities from behind bars.
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The investigation has revealed that the gang had spread across multiple states and conducted surveillance of nearly 10 bank branches in Surat over several months before finalizing the target. The Varachha branch was eventually selected due to reduced police presence in the area amid metro construction work and election-related deployment duties.
Officials stated that the robbery was executed on April 27, coinciding with the second day of municipal elections in Surat. The timing was allegedly chosen strategically, as a significant portion of law enforcement personnel were engaged in election security arrangements, leaving fewer resources available for routine surveillance.
In a swift operation lasting only a few minutes, the accused entered the bank and escaped with ₹50 lakh in cash. Investigators noted that the robbery was carried out without attempting to conceal identities, and CCTV footage clearly captured the suspects, which later became a key element in identifying members of the gang.
Fake Identities and Compartmentalized Gang Network
One of the most striking aspects of the case is the internal structure of the gang. Officials revealed that members operated under multiple aliases and were deliberately kept unaware of each other’s real identities. This compartmentalized structure ensured that even if one member was arrested, the broader network would remain protected.
Further investigation has uncovered that fake identity documents used by the accused were allegedly prepared in Madhya Pradesh. These forged documents carried real photographs of the gang members but contained entirely fabricated names, addresses, and identification details, pointing to the involvement of an organized document forgery network.
Prior to the robbery, the accused reportedly spent around 45 minutes inside and around the bank premises, observing staff movements, customer activity, and cash handling procedures. Some individuals allegedly pretended to use mobile phones while actually conducting surveillance inside the branch to avoid suspicion.
After the robbery, the gang split into multiple directions across different states. One of the accused reportedly traveled to Uttar Pradesh, where he received partial funds through associates before being tracked down near a religious site during a police operation based on technical surveillance inputs.
Missing Cash and Wider Network Under Probe
Investigators also discovered that the accused had been living in Surat under fake identities, renting accommodations in multiple areas while posing as workers associated with textile and diamond industries. These individuals frequently changed locations to avoid detection.
The vehicles used in the crime were also part of a carefully planned setup. One bike was reportedly stolen locally, while another was brought from a different state and fitted with fake registration plates. A total of three motorcycles were used during the operation.
Officials further revealed that the original plan involved looting between ₹2–3 crore, but the gang managed to obtain only ₹50 lakh due to lower-than-expected cash availability at the bank during the robbery.
Several empty bags carried for transporting cash were later abandoned during the escape. Investigators believe this indicates the level of preparation and expectation of a much larger haul.
Authorities are now working to secure transit remand of the alleged mastermind from Bihar prison for direct interrogation in Gujarat. Meanwhile, efforts continue to trace the remaining ₹49 lakh still missing from the robbery proceeds.
