Bihar is frequently in the news due to ongoing bank robberies. In 2024, these incidents have been happening one after another. Why are banks an easy target for criminals? Is poor security the main reason? Are bank employees involved? Should all banks have timer locks installed? These questions worry the public. Let’s first review some major bank robberies and then hear experts’ opinions on these incidents.

1 July 2024 Sheikhpura (30 lakh looted from Barbigha Axis Bank)

In Sheikhpura district’s Barbigha, Bihar, criminals looted Rs 30 lakh from Axis bank on Monday morning between 10 and 11 am. About six criminals on three bikes entered the premises as customers right after it opened. They held the bank manager and other employees hostage at gunpoint and carried out the robbery.

15 June 2024 (17.5 lakh looted from Axis Bank in Bihta)

In Patna, robbers looted Rs 17.50 lakh from Axis Bank in Devkuli, Bihta, on Saturday, June 15, at 11:41 am. The criminals took the employees hostage, locked them and the customers in a room, and demanded the locker key from manager Nazir Ahmed. They stole Rs 17.50 lakh from the locker, Rs 41,000 from customer Ganesh Chaudhary, and Rs 1.45 lakh from a microfinance employee.

21 March 2024 (20 lakh looted in Begusarai)

In Begusarai, Bihar, five armed criminals robbed HDFC Bank and took Rs 20 lakh in broad daylight. The incident occurred at the HDFC Bank branch on Har Har Mahadev Chowk NH-31 side of the Nagar police station area. The criminals, disguised as customers, entered the bank, held the employees at gunpoint, and looted Rs 20 lakh from the counter before fleeing.

23 January 2024 (90 lakh looted in Araria)

On January 23, 2024, six criminals on bikes attacked the Axis Bank branch at ADB Chowk in Araria district, Bihar, in broad daylight. They spread terror inside for 20 minutes, looting about Rs 90 lakh from the cash counter, strong room, and customers. The robbery took place about 100 meters from the SDPO residence. The criminals first captured the guard, then the bank manager and employees, and carried out the heist.

Expert opinion on the loots

Retired senior SBI officer Mukesh Pratyush believes that most banks are unguarded or only have private guards who are not well-trained. He suggests that banks need to increase their security budget and hire trained guards. He recommends that even small banks should consider hiring retired army personnel for security.

Today, it’s necessary to limit the number of banks, ensuring there aren’t four banks on one street. The district administration also has a limit. Government and large banks follow a rule where the district administration provides some police for security, but small banks lack this support. Although there are few robbers, the cooperation of account holders present in the bank is often missing.

Another solution is to require banks to have timer locks, which can reduce vault robberies. This would prevent large amounts of money from being stolen.

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