Thane, April 2 – A Thane court has acquitted four individuals accused of robbing a bank in Dombivli, Maharashtra, 16 years ago, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish their involvement beyond reasonable doubt. The court's verdict, delivered on March 24, was made public on Tuesday.
The robbery took place on November 13, 2009, at the Union Bank of India branch on Manpada Road, Dombivli. Three armed men entered the bank, threatened the staff with weapons, and stole Rs 5,88,700. In addition to the cash, they also forced a woman employee to hand over her gold ring and mobile phone.
A case was registered under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Following the robbery, police arrested four individuals: Sunil Bajirao Atangale (53), Sham Balasaheb Thombre (47), Kiran Bhalchandra Borase, and Manik Shamrao Wagh (47), all from the Kalyan-Dombivli area.
During the trial, the defense lawyers—Sagar Kolhe, Nitin Bhune, and Amol Joshi—argued that there was no solid evidence connecting their clients to the crime. Special MCOCA judge A. N. Sirsikar, while delivering the judgment, pointed out inconsistencies in the witness testimonies and granted the benefit of the doubt to the accused.
As a result, all four individuals were acquitted of the charges.
The robbery took place on November 13, 2009, at the Union Bank of India branch on Manpada Road, Dombivli. Three armed men entered the bank, threatened the staff with weapons, and stole Rs 5,88,700. In addition to the cash, they also forced a woman employee to hand over her gold ring and mobile phone.
A case was registered under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Following the robbery, police arrested four individuals: Sunil Bajirao Atangale (53), Sham Balasaheb Thombre (47), Kiran Bhalchandra Borase, and Manik Shamrao Wagh (47), all from the Kalyan-Dombivli area.
During the trial, the defense lawyers—Sagar Kolhe, Nitin Bhune, and Amol Joshi—argued that there was no solid evidence connecting their clients to the crime. Special MCOCA judge A. N. Sirsikar, while delivering the judgment, pointed out inconsistencies in the witness testimonies and granted the benefit of the doubt to the accused.
As a result, all four individuals were acquitted of the charges.