KATHMANDU: Police have revealed that the robbery at the Nepal SBI Bank branch in Hayutar, Ghyanglekh-2, Sindhuli, on January 13 was orchestrated with the involvement of the property owner himself.
A team from the Sindhuli District Police has arrested seven individuals, including the house owner, 44-year-old Chhabilal Syangtan, in connection with the evening heist, which occurred around 7:45 pm.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Sindhuli DSP Surya Prakash Subedi confirmed the roles of all seven suspects. Those arrested include 49-year-old Bhagwat Singh Thapa from Banepa, Kavre; 47-year-old Chaturman Bajju from Ghyanglekh; 24-year-old Shashank Shrestha from Bharatpur, Chitwan; 23-year-old Milan Giri from Panchakanya-5, Nuwakot; 19-year-old Bibek Magar; and a 16-year-old minor.
Police have already recovered Rs 26,855,000 looted from the bank. The firearms used in the robbery were discovered to be fake, consisting of plastic guns and knives, which the group brandished inside the bank.
DSP Subedi said Syangtan played a central role in planning and facilitating the robbery. “The house owner himself organized the weapons and informed the robbers about the surroundings near the bank,” Subedi said. The robbery plan was reportedly prepared as early as September, with Syangtan and Chaturman Bajju scouting the bank and arranging logistics.
According to the investigation, the robbers first traveled from Kathmandu to Sindhuli on January 7 on two motorcycles but returned after failing to find an opportunity. They made a second attempt on January 13, gathering at Koteshwor, Kathmandu, before traveling to Banepa and reserving a Tata Sumo to carry out the heist.
Police stated that a total of Rs 30.7 million was stolen during the robbery. The seven arrested are being investigated under charges of theft and robbery by the District Court of Sindhuli, which has granted five days for further inquiry.
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