UCO Bank robbery in Jharkhand's Giridih: Gang loots ₹3-4 crore gold, cash
Synopsis
Five armed men walked into a UCO Bank branch in Giridih, Jharkhand, just 100 metres from the local police station, restrained staff and customers, looted ₹3–4 crore in pledged gold and up to ₹10 lakh in cash, and escaped in 20 minutes — taking the CCTV DVR with them to erase their tracks.
Key Takeaways
Five armed men robbed a UCO Bank branch in Rajdhanwar, Giridih, Jharkhand on 5 November 2026 .
The gang looted gold ornaments worth an estimated ₹3–4 crore and cash of approximately ₹8–10 lakh .
The heist was executed in roughly 20 minutes , just 100 metres from the local police station.
Robbers tied up staff and customers, then removed the bank's CCTV DVR unit to destroy evidence.
Police have launched search operations; no arrests have been reported yet.
An armed gang of five men brazenly raided a UCO Bank branch in the Rajdhanwar area of Giridih district, Jharkhand, on 5 November 2026, making off with gold ornaments worth an estimated ₹3–4 crore and cash of approximately ₹8–10 lakh, according to police. The audacious heist unfolded in broad daylight, barely 100 metres from the local police station, triggering serious questions about law-and-order arrangements in the district.
How the Robbery Unfolded
According to branch manager Rahul Kumar Gaur, the incident began at around 1.40 pm when five armed individuals entered the bank. One of them, wearing a helmet, stationed himself at the main entrance to keep watch, while four masked accomplices stormed inside and held employees and customers at gunpoint.
The gang forced the manager and staff to sit outside the vault, tied their hands behind their backs, and sealed their mouths with adhesive tape. The manager was then compelled to hand over the vault keys and unlock the strong room. At the time, two customers were already inside the bank; two more entered during the operation and were overpowered and restrained as well.
What Was Stolen
Once inside the vault, the robbers seized gold ornaments that had been pledged by customers, estimated at ₹3–4 crore, along with ₹8–10 lakh in cash. Bank officials said the precise value of the stolen assets is still being assessed. The entire operation was completed in roughly 20 minutes.
Before fleeing, the gang removed and took away the DVR unit connected to the bank's CCTV surveillance system in an apparent bid to destroy digital evidence — indicating a degree of premeditation.
Police Response and Investigation
Law enforcement teams were alerted by bank authorities and rushed to the scene shortly after. Search operations are currently under way to identify and apprehend the accused. Investigators are questioning bank employees and eyewitnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events. The destruction of the DVR unit is expected to complicate the probe, though officials say other investigative avenues are being explored.
Security Concerns Spotlighted
The robbery's proximity to the police station — a mere 100 metres — has fuelled public outrage and put the spotlight on the adequacy of security measures around financial institutions in the region. This comes amid broader concerns about bank robberies in rural and semi-urban Jharkhand, where such branches often serve as storage points for gold pledged against agricultural and personal loans. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests.
Point of View
With the presence of mind to destroy CCTV evidence, points to prior reconnaissance and insider-level awareness of bank routines. Rural and semi-urban bank branches across Jharkhand disproportionately hold pledged gold from agricultural borrowers, making them high-value, under-secured targets. The pattern of stealing the DVR — now recurring in several such heists nationally — signals that organised criminal networks are adapting to surveillance infrastructure faster than banks and police are upgrading it. The accountability question is straightforward: how was a bank 100 metres from a police station unprotected for 20 minutes?
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the UCO Bank branch in Giridih, Jharkhand?
Five armed men robbed the UCO Bank branch in Rajdhanwar, Giridih on 5 November 2026, stealing gold ornaments worth an estimated ₹3–4 crore and approximately ₹8–10 lakh in cash. The robbers restrained staff and customers and escaped in about 20 minutes.
How did the robbers avoid being caught on camera?
Before fleeing, the gang removed and took away the DVR unit connected to the bank's CCTV surveillance system to destroy digital evidence. This deliberate step indicates the robbery was planned in advance.
Where exactly did the UCO Bank robbery take place?
The robbery occurred at a UCO Bank branch in the Rajdhanwar area of Giridih district, Jharkhand. The branch was located barely 100 metres from the local police station.
Have any arrests been made in the Giridih bank robbery case?
As of the latest reports on 5 November 2026, no arrests have been made. Police have launched search operations and are questioning bank employees and eyewitnesses to piece together the sequence of events.
What was the total value stolen in the UCO Bank Giridih heist?
The robbers made off with gold ornaments pledged by customers, valued at an estimated ₹3–4 crore, and cash of approximately ₹8–10 lakh. Bank officials said the exact figure is still being assessed.
