SBI Surat Robbery: Two Arrested, Bank Staff Call Strike Over Security Lapses

Surat | Gujarat — A dramatic breakthrough in the ₹50 lakh daylight robbery at the SBI branch in Surat’s Varachha has brought relief to investigators—but sparked outrage among bank employees. Even as the Surat Crime Branch tracked down and arrested two suspects from Uttar Pradesh, the SBI employees’ union has announced a two-day strike, alleging serious security lapses and inadequate protection inside bank premises.

The incident has triggered fresh debate about safety standards in banks and the risks faced daily by employees and customers.

Crime Branch Cracks the Case

The Surat Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) arrested two accused from Ayodhya and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh after an intensive investigation. The arrested suspects have been identified as Shubham Kumar Ajit Thakur and Vikas Singh Arun Kumar Singh.

Police said the duo will be produced before a Gonda court to secure transit remand before being brought to Surat for further interrogation.

“This was a carefully planned crime. The accused had been preparing for the robbery well in advance and left several digital and technical clues,” a senior police officer said.

How the Robbery Unfolded

The robbery took place on Monday afternoon at the SBI branch on L.H. Road in Varachha. More than five armed robbers stormed the bank, threatened staff and customers at gunpoint, and held several people hostage.

Among those threatened were the service manager, cashier, junior associate, a credit card worker, a pawnbroker and an ATM guard. The gang looted ₹50 lakh in cash and fled on three motorcycles after also stealing mobile phones of employees and customers.

Fake IDs and High-Tech Tracking

Investigators revealed that the gang had purchased one of the motorcycles from Telangana using a fake identity. The accused had moved to Surat a month before the robbery and rented a house in Rander before vacating it to avoid detection.

Police tracked the suspects using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras on Airport Road and CCTV footage from the robbery site.

“The suspects were seen in ANPR camera footage days before the crime. This became a crucial breakthrough,” an officer said.

Employees Announce Two-Day Strike

Despite the arrests, the robbery has ignited anger among SBI employees. The union has announced a strike on May 25 and 26, alleging that repeated warnings about security gaps were ignored by management.

Union leaders claim banks have not recruited adequate staff and rely on private agencies for cash handling. Guards deployed by these agencies reportedly remain outside bank premises and do not escort cash inside.

“For years we have been raising concerns about security and manpower shortages,” a union representative said. “Employees and customers are being put at risk. The strike is a last resort.”