A former Maharashtra Police sub-inspector, who was dismissed from service after being arrested in a bank robbery case in 2023, has been arrested again in connection with a massive ₹36.48 crore robbery at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Jalgaon district.
The accused, identified as Shankar Ramesh Jasak, allegedly masterminded the daylight robbery at the SBI branch in Bhokar village on October 31. Three other men were also arrested in connection with the incident. Police recovered the stolen cash and around 27 kg of gold ornaments within hours of the robbery.
According to investigators, four men wearing helmets and face coverings entered the bank between 2.45 pm and 3.15 pm. Armed with firearms, knives and wooden sticks, they allegedly threatened the bank manager, cashier and other employees before forcing them to open the lockers.
The robbers reportedly tied up the bank employees and covered their mouths. When security guard Sandeep Koli attempted to resist, one of the accused allegedly fired at him. The gang then escaped on two motorcycles carrying ₹12.26 lakh in cash and approximately 27 kg of gold ornaments stored in 16 lockers. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at ₹36.48 crore.
However, their escape did not last long. The bank's emergency alarm alerted people in the surrounding area, prompting villagers and local police patils to join the pursuit. Police teams tracked the suspects towards Dharangaon and arrested all four within a few hours. Some police personnel reportedly sustained minor injuries during the arrests.
### From Police Officer to Bank Robbery Accused
Jasak was appointed as a police sub-inspector in 2015 and initially served in the Raigad district police force. His career came under scrutiny in 2018 after he was named in an Anti-Corruption Bureau case involving an alleged bribery incident.
His troubles continued in 2023 when he was arrested in connection with another SBI robbery at the Kalika Mata temple branch in Jalgaon. The June 1, 2023 incident involved the theft of gold worth approximately ₹3.6 crore and cash. Jasak was subsequently dismissed from police service.
### Alleged Robbery Plan Hatched in Jail
Investigators suspect that Jasak developed a connection with another accused, Gajanan Rajendra Pawar, while both were lodged in Jalgaon district jail. According to preliminary findings, they allegedly planned the latest robbery during their time in prison.
The gang reportedly conducted reconnaissance of the Bhokar branch before selecting it as their target.
The other arrested suspects have been identified as Gajanan Rajendra Pawar, Ankush Tulsiram Pawar and Ankush Shravan Chavan.
Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Investigators are examining the individual roles of the accused and how the robbery was planned.
The incident has raised serious questions about bank security and the alleged involvement of a dismissed police officer in repeated high-value robberies. Hindustan Times +3
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