A major breakthrough has emerged in the sensational ₹50 lakh robbery at a State Bank of India branch in Surat, with investigators claiming that the entire operation was orchestrated by a notorious Bihar-based gangster from inside a jail cell. The high-profile daylight heist, which shocked Gujarat in late April, is now being linked to a sophisticated interstate criminal network that allegedly planned the robbery for months before executing it with precision.

According to investigators, the robbery took place at the SBI branch located in Surat’s Varachha area on April 27. Armed men posing as regular customers reportedly entered the bank, spent time observing the premises, and then suddenly launched the operation. Police said the suspects threatened bank employees and customers at gunpoint, disabled alarm systems, seized mobile phones, and escaped with nearly ₹50 lakh in cash.

The case triggered a massive investigation by Surat Crime Branch officials, who deployed multiple teams across several states. Authorities examined CCTV footage from more than 1,000 cameras, tracked vehicle movements, analyzed mobile tower data, and coordinated with police units outside Gujarat to identify the gang members involved.

Investigators now believe the robbery was masterminded by Kundan Bhagat, a Bihar-based criminal currently lodged in Beur Central Jail in Patna. Police alleged that Bhagat coordinated the operation remotely using encrypted communication methods and instructions relayed through associates.

Officials claim the gang operated with military-style planning. Members reportedly stayed in Surat for nearly two months before the robbery, renting accommodations in different areas of the city using forged identification documents and fake Aadhaar cards. During this period, they are believed to have surveyed several banks, studied police movement patterns, and closely monitored the targeted SBI branch.

Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated that the gang deliberately chose the timing of the robbery to exploit reduced police presence in the city. The operation was allegedly carried out immediately after municipal elections, when law enforcement resources were heavily engaged elsewhere. Ongoing Metro construction work in the area also reportedly helped the suspects identify easier escape routes and movement zones with lower surveillance. 

Authorities revealed that gang members used multiple aliases and reportedly did not even know each other’s real identities, a tactic intended to prevent the entire network from being exposed if one member was arrested. Investigators also found that the suspects used motorcycles with fake registration plates copied from vehicles registered in different parts of Gujarat.

The police investigation led to the arrest of two accused from Uttar Pradesh. The suspects, identified as Shubham Kumar Thakur and Vikas Singh, were apprehended from the Ayodhya and Gonda regions after several days of surveillance and tracking operations. Officials described Shubham Kumar as a key operative in the robbery, while Vikas Singh allegedly provided logistical support and shelter to gang members after the crime.

Police said only a small portion of the stolen money — approximately ₹93,000 — has been recovered so far. Authorities believe the remaining amount has already been distributed among gang members operating across different states.

Investigators also disclosed that the gang intended to steal a much larger amount during the robbery. According to officials, the suspects arrived at the bank carrying several large bags and allegedly planned to loot valuables worth up to ₹2 crore or more from lockers inside the branch. However, the attempt reportedly failed after a bank employee informed the robbers that locker keys were unavailable because the branch manager was absent at the time.

This prevented access to gold and valuables stored inside the vault, significantly reducing the scale of the financial loss.

The investigation has also uncovered links between the alleged mastermind and other serious criminal activities across India. Police sources stated that Kundan Bhagat has previously been associated with organized robberies, arms-related offences, and interstate criminal operations.

At present, several members of the gang remain absconding. Surat Police have formed multiple special teams to conduct raids in different states and trace the remaining suspects involved in the robbery. Authorities are also initiating legal procedures to bring the alleged mastermind from Bihar jail to Surat for further interrogation.

The robbery has once again raised concerns over organized criminal networks operating across state boundaries and the alleged misuse of communication systems from inside prisons. Security experts say the incident highlights the growing sophistication of interstate gangs and the increasing need for stronger prison monitoring systems and inter-agency coordination.

Police officials have indicated that further arrests are expected in the coming days as the investigation continues to expand.