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Chennai cops go to Nepal to nab IOB heist suspects

5 special teams formed.

Chennai: Suspecting involvement of a gang comprising a security guard hailing from Nepal in the daring robbery at Indian Overseas Bank, Virugambakkam, the city police teams have rushed to Nepal to nab the suspects.

Meanwhile, distressed account holders rushed to the bank on Tuesday to ascertain the safety of their valuables in the lockers. However, the bank officials have placed a notice stating except locker numbers - 259 and 654, all others remained safe and intact. They also requested their customers not to believe rumours. The officials issued tokens to the account holders to check their valuables in the lockers. After checking their lockers, the account holders expressed satisfaction that their lockers were safe.

Following a preliminary probe, city police commissioner A.K. Viswanathan has formed five special teams to nab Sabi Lal and other gangsters. They also suspect that Lal's son, Dhilu, might have been involved in the heist. The cops have released their photos. While a team rushed to Nepal another team headed to West Bengal. The cops suspect they looted cash and valuables worth Rs 1 crore.

One team comprised SI Murali, head constable M. Selvaraj, constable S. Ravikumar and another team include inspector Giri, SI Thirumal, constables Manikandan and Narayanan.

According to police sources, in an effort to provide assistance to the team, a Nepalese also has accompanied the team to Nepal. The security guard had stored two LPG cylinders in his room located on the second floor of the building, which houses the bank. After looting, they brought the stolen goods to Sabi’s room. A few silver articles were found in the room.

The sources said, though Sabi Lal was allotted a room in the building, he stayed along with his family in Vellavedu village near Poonamallee for nearly eight years. He was residing along with his wife, son Dhilu and daughter Pushpa, in the village.

Sources said he sent his family members to Nepal four days before committing the robbery. Later, with the help of his friends and his son, he successfully committed the heist. The team members are scrutinising whether Sabi Lal and his son were involved in any other criminal activities. The police hoped that they would be nabbed soon.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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