Tamil Nadu train heist case taken over by Crime Branch-CID; investigators hoping for clues from technical input

Investigators from the Crime Branch CID of Tamil Nadu police have taken over the investigation of the daring train heist in which robbers made away with more than Rs 5.75 crore of soiled currency notes which were being transported back to the RBI.

The parcel van attached to the Salem-Chennai Express on arriving at Egmore was found to have a hole in the roof by RBI officials who opened the seal.

“Considering the serious nature of the case and the scope of investigation extending beyond railway premises, the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police Ashok Kumar has issued orders transferring the case to the CB-CID. The decision was taken in consultation with the Railway Protection Force,”  The Hindu quoted a senior police official as saying.

Meanwhile, Railway Protection Forces personnel have reportedly combed through the platforms in Salem Railway Junction and nearby areas for clues on weapons used during the robbery.

Investigators went through CCTV footage recorded in Salem and Egmore railway stations and extensive inquiries at all the 12 stations where the train had scheduled stoppages, reported The Hindu.

Investigators are pinning their hopes on technical input, analysis of mobile phone calls and forensic evidence such as finger prints and DNA samples.

Divisional Railway Manager, Mr Hari Shankar Verma, said the bank had booked a parcel van for transporting 23 tonnes of soiled and mutilated currency notes by paying Rs. 44,620 as charges.

The train reached Vridhachalam Junction ahead of its scheduled arrival time of 11.55 p.m. and departed after a delay of ten minutes from its scheduled departure time, he noted.

Mr. Verma said that the roofs of railway coaches were quite strong that it was practically impossible to drill it open from the outside with portable or welding instruments. Heavy power will be needed for drilling a hole through the roof, he added.

No information regarding the value of the consignment was revealed during booking and the bank officials only mentioned that 23 tonnes of soiled currency were being transported to Chennai.

Neither the actual value of the money was declared nor the Southern Railway officials alerted to the transportation of such huge cash. It was only after the theft came to light that top railway officials knew of the cash movement.

(Photo Courtesy: The Indian Express)