'Human bomb' loots 40 lakh from bank, bank manager suspect

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) A 'human bomb' allegedy 'looted' a bank of Rs 40 lakh in Vikaspuri area of West Delhi this afternoon after threatening to blow it up.

Police suspect the involvement of the bank manager, who reportedly 'escorted' the accused to the gate along with the money till he left the bank premises.

The accused entered the Unit Trust of India (UTI) Bank in Vikaspuri's 'J' Block at about 1230 hrs and asked the branch manager Sandeep Dham to hand over the keys of the bank strong room, while threatening to blow himself up, according to area DCP Robin Hibu.

The accused, who said he was armed with explosives which were tied to his body, came to the manager's chamber after standing in the queue for nearly half an hour.

After he could not get anything from there, he reportedly came back to the manager's room where he sat down and asked for whatever cash was available while threatening to blow up the bank.

''Enquiries revealed that then Sandeep Dham called the local cash incharge Ms Seema and asked how much cash was there with her, who denied having any. Next he called another cashier Ms Bini who said she had Rs 40 lakh.'' He later asked her to bring the money and called two peons -- Deepak and Sonu -- to stuff the money into a bag and see off the 'gentleman' till his vehicle. ''He himself went to see the 'human bomb' off.'' Surprisingly, four armed guards did not even come to know of the entire incident.

Also, Dham did not even press the alarm bell tucked to his table which could have created an alert.

We are investigating the matter taking into account all the aspects, including the involvement of the bank manager, he added.

UNI AN MIR PM2055