PHAGWARA: In a significant breakthrough in the sensational bank robbery case that shook the region, Kapurthala Police have arrested three accused and recovered ₹28.67 lakhs in looted cash, two pistols, and two vehicles used in the crime. The robbery had taken place at the HDFC Bank branch in Rehana Jattan village, Phagwara, on May 30.
Addressing the media at a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala, Gaurav Toora, confirmed the arrests and detailed the course of investigation that led to the breakthrough. According to SSP Toora, three masked individuals had stormed the HDFC Bank branch at Rehana Jattan on May 30 and fled with a large sum of money, triggering an intensive manhunt and a state-wide alert.
The case was formally registered as FIR No. 45 dated May 30, 2025, under Sections 309(4) and 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 25 of the Arms Act, at the Rawalpindi Police Station in District Kapurthala.
To crack the case, special directives were issued to senior officers including Prabhjot Singh Virk, PPS (SP Investigation, Kapurthala) and Smt. Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, PPS (SP Phagwara Sub-Division). Under their close supervision, dedicated teams were formed, led by DSP Bharat Bhushan (Phagwara), DSP Parminder Singh (Investigation), Inspector Jarnail Singh (CIA Staff Kapurthala), and SI Major Singh, SHO of Rawalpindi Police Station.
The first major arrest was made on June 7, when police nabbed Gurmindar Singh, son of late Kuldeep Singh and a resident of Kahalwa village, Police Station Kartarpur, District Jalandhar Rural. Upon his arrest, police recovered ₹13.10 lakhs in looted cash, a .32-bore pistol, and two live cartridges. Following intensive interrogation, Gurmindar Singh revealed the identities of his accomplices—Navjot Singh, son of Santokh Singh, also of Kahalwa, and Jorawar Singh Sodhi, son of Gurdev Singh, from Dhaliwal Qadian village, also in Jalandhar Rural district.
Acting swiftly on the information, police teams tracked the duo to Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The arrest operation, carried out with precision, led to the seizure of a white-colored Innova Crysta bearing registration number PB 08 FB 0039 and ₹2.02 lakhs in stolen cash from their possession.
Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of the unregistered white Verna car used during the heist, another ₹13.55 lakhs in looted money, and a second .32-bore pistol. The total recovery made so far stands at ₹28.67 lakhs in stolen cash, two pistols, two live cartridges, and two vehicles suspected to have been used in the planning and execution of the crime.
Based on the evidence gathered and confessional statements during custodial interrogation, Gurmindar Singh has been identified as the mastermind of the robbery. Police officials confirmed that he not only planned the operation but also recruited his accomplices and handled logistical coordination.
“The operation was executed with precision, and we are continuing deep interrogation of the accused. More revelations are expected as the investigation progresses, ” said SSP Toora, praising the efforts of the police team for their diligence and coordination across districts and state borders.
The recovery of such a substantial amount of cash and weapons has brought considerable relief to the local population and reaffirms the Kapurthala Police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
The investigation is still ongoing, and police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests in the coming days