Full Breakdown
Daylight Robbery at an SBI Branch in Nagpur Involves Chilli-Powder Attack
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 10 2026, a man entered the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Bhande Plot, Nagpur, posing as a customer. While bank employees were handling cash from an ATM, the suspect approached the cash counter, threw chilli powder into the eyes of staff, and seized cash before fleeing. CCTV footage captured the entire sequence, showing the assailant covering his face with a cloth, moving through the branch, and stuffing cash into a bag. Police intercepted the suspect roughly one kilometre from the bank and recovered the stolen money within 30 minutes of the robbery.
Data & Statistics
- Suspect: Suraj Bhojraj Borkar, 28 years old, B.Sc. graduate, unemployed, resident of Tatoli village in Bhivapur tehsil, Nagpur district.
- Cash taken: Reported amounts vary—some outlets cite Rs 4 lakh, others Rs 4.5 lakh, and several specify Rs 4.53 lakh.
- Time to arrest: Police located and detained Borkar within 30 minutes of the incident.
- Recovery: The entire cash amount reported by each source was recovered from the suspect.
- Police personnel involved: Constables Shailesh Belekar, Rajendra Mohad, Tappulal Chute, and Sharadsingh Tembhre, under senior inspector Ramesh N Khune of Sakkardara police station.
Official Statements & Responses
Police at Sakkardara station described the robbery as a “priority case” and noted that the CCTV footage was instrumental in identifying and tracking the suspect. Investigators indicated that Borkar had likely conducted a reconnaissance of the branch to determine when employees would be handling cash at the ATM. The police also mentioned that Borkar’s recent financial strain—losses in the stock market and mounting debt—may have motivated the crime. Officials confirmed that the entire cash haul was recovered and that Borkar is being questioned to determine whether any accomplices were involved.
On-the-Ground Reports
The video circulating on social media shows the assailant in an orange kurta and black pants, with a white cloth covering his face. After throwing the chilli powder, he moves past stunned staff, climbs over a counter, and fills a green bag with cash. Several employees attempt to pursue him, but the confusion caused by the irritant hampers their response. The footage also records police officers setting up checkpoints and patrolling the area, leading to the suspect’s capture shortly after the robbery.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Amount stolen: Sources differ on the exact cash value—India Today and News18 report Rs 4 lakh, while The Times of India, Indian Express, NDTV Profit, and ABP Live cite Rs 4.53 lakh (or approximately Rs 4.5 lakh).
- Motive details: While police suspect unemployment and financial loss, no definitive motive has been established, and investigators have not confirmed whether any co-conspirators were involved.
- Exact timeline: Most reports place the incident around 5:30 pm–6 pm, but precise timing varies across outlets.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights how unconventional weapons—such as chilli powder—can be employed to create temporary incapacitation, facilitating theft in a public setting. It also underscores the role of surveillance technology and rapid police response in limiting financial loss and apprehending perpetrators in urban India.