Burglars decamp with cash and gold worth Rs 30 lakh

Chennai, DHNS: Burglars broke into the safety lockers at the branch of a nationalised bank in Chennai and have stolen cash and gold jewellery to the tune of Rs 30 lakh, police said on Monday.

The theft at the Virugambakkam branch of the Indian Overseas Bank was noticed when bank officials opened the premises on Monday after a two-day holiday.

Police said a manhunt has been launched to nab the security guard, Shabi Lal, who was on duty on Sunday night, since he has gone missing from Monday morning.

City police commissioner A K Viswanathan, who inspected the branch, said an iron door to the room housing safety lockers was found drilled to gain access to the lockers.

"The door was drilled to accommodate the entry of a single person, through which the suspect had got in. Only one or two lockers were found open and other lockers are not affected... The extent of loss would be known only after a complete enquiry," he said.