Pune: Four individuals involved in the armed robbery of ₹65.57 lakh from the Rahu branch (Daund Taluka) of Pune District Central Co-operative Bank have been sentenced to life imprisonment under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).

The robbery took place in Daund Taluka in 2016, and the sentencing was delivered by Special MCOCA Judge P.P. Jadhav.

The convicted gang, led by Sachin Ithape, carried out the daring heist by breaking into the bank at night, tying up the security guards, and using gas cutters to access the strong room where the cash was stored.

The robbers fled with a substantial sum of ₹65.57 lakh, prompting an extensive investigation that led to the arrest and prosecution of the accused.

Besides life imprisonment for four members, three others received seven-year sentences, and seven additional individuals were fined ₹10 lakh each. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the looted funds were used to purchase properties, vehicles, and land in Chalisgaon, while fake Aadhaar cards were employed to open bank accounts under false names.

The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Chandrakiran Salvi, successfully presented evidence, including the recovery of masks, swords, and illegal property documents. The court ruled that properties acquired through the stolen funds should be confiscated and handed over to the government.

The gang’s robbery spree did not end with the Pune heist, as they were also involved in similar crimes in the Satara and Nagar districts. The investigation revealed that the gang meticulously planned and executed the robberies, using advanced tools and disguises to evade detection.