Arrest of Ex-Cop Shankar Jasak in Rs 36 Crore Bank Heist
Shankar Jasak, a former police officer, has been arrested as the alleged mastermind behind a significant bank robbery in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
The robbery involved the theft of valuables worth Rs 36.48 crore.
Jasak had previously been dismissed from the police force for a prior robbery.
Villagers played a crucial role in assisting police during the manhunt.
In a dramatic turn of events, Shankar Jasak, a former police sub-inspector, was apprehended in connection with a bank robbery in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where valuables worth Rs 36.48 crore were stolen. The incident occurred at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch, where Jasak and his accomplices threatened bank staff with a firearm, forcing them to open multiple lockers and secure the contents in bags before fleeing the scene.
The robbery unfolded on October 31, 2023, when the assailants, including Jasak and his associates, arrived at the bank on motorcycles. Armed with a pistol, one of the robbers discharged a blank shot to instill fear before they proceeded to threaten the bank manager and cashier. They spent approximately 40 to 45 minutes inside the bank, creating chaos among employees as they gathered valuables into five to six bags.
Prior to this incident, Jasak had been involved in a separate bank robbery in the same district, which resulted in his dismissal from the police force. Investigations revealed that he had formed a connection with Gajanan Rajendra Pawar while both were incarcerated. Pawar was previously detained for a murder case and was released on bail shortly before the robbery. This suggests a potential collaboration in criminal activities between the two men.
Following the robbery, local villagers initiated a chase after the suspects fled towards Dharangaon. Their quick actions prompted police to mobilize teams across the district. During the pursuit, authorities received tips about bags abandoned by the robbers, leading to a search operation that resulted in the recovery of approximately 26 kg of gold and Rs 12.26 lakh in cash. The police successfully arrested Jasak, Pawar, and two other accomplices, bringing the total arrests to four.
The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the roles of the arrested individuals and identify any additional participants in the robbery's planning. Authorities are also looking into whether the group had further accomplices who aided in the execution of this high-profile crime.
