In debt, postal staffer ‘raids’ bank with gas-lighter ‘gun’
Times of India | 12 April 2025
Kolkata: A 33-year-old postal department employee, a resident of Avenue South in Santoshpur and an organising committee member of one of the biggest Durga Pujas in the area, allegedly attempted to rob the SBI Santoshpur branch — armed with a gun-shaped gas lighter and a foldable knife — on Tuesday.
The man entered the bank around 2.45 pm, locked the entrance gate, and threatened the branch manager with what appeared to be a firearm, demanding cash. However, the bank staff quickly realised the weapon was actually a pistol-shaped gas-lighter. They overpowered him, leading to a brief altercation, and an attempt was even made to assault him before Survey Park Police were alerted.
The accused, who lives barely 100 metres from the bank branch, works as a sorting assistant at the Indian Postal Department and was earlier posted at Yogayog Bhawan. He is an Honours graduate from Dinabandhu Andrews College and serves as a committee member of the local Durga Puja celebrations. The accused has an account at the same bank branch he attempted to rob.
"During interrogation, the suspect revealed he attempted the robbery to manage his outstanding bank loans, estimated between Rs 30 lakhs-Rs 35 lakhs. He cited financial pressure from EMI payments and his wife's upcoming delivery as factors that made him attempt the heist," said joint CP (crime & traffic) Rupesh Kumar.
A search revealed a foldable knife in his possession, which was seized along with the ‘gun'. The incident has shocked local residents, particularly given the accused's status as a central govt employee and his active involvement in community activities in the neighbourhood. "He was at the local market on Friday morning and we even spoke about some upcoming initiatives in our locality," said Asish Sen, a local resident.
Police confirmed that initial investigations suggest he acted alone, with no other suspects identified. The accused faces multiple charges, including attempted robbery and criminal intimidation. If convicted, he could face several years in prison.