CHENNAI: In search of a breakthrough in the audacious train robbery case, the special investigation team probing the case re-enacted the sequence between Tambaram and Chetpet on Saturday.
Six days on, the police are yet to nail the suspects who had looted `5.4 crore cash by drilling a hole on the roof of the moving train. The CB-CID, which was given the case the very next day, formed seven teams under Additional Director General of Police Karan Singha, but have not had much success so far.
Based on CCTV footage recorded at the Tambaram railway station, the police suspect that the thieves might have struck the train at the Chetpet yard. In search of leads, a real-time exercise on a similar wagon was conducted in between these two points on Saturday.
The train was operated at the same speed at which it had run on the day of theft. When police used a chisel and a mechanised saw to cut a 4-square-foot hole, it nearly took them them 50 minutes, said a senior police official.
Salem Assistant Commissioner Nagarajan, who was responsible for security, admitted that nine berth tickets were booked for the personnel in S-1 compartment, and they took turns in the unreserved compartments right next to the coach.
On Saturday, RBI officials also handed over the damaged wooden boxes to the CB-CID personnel. Nearly four crore was stolen from one box (No.20) and the remaining amount taken from box No. 16. The CB-CID is piecing together the tampered wooden boxes in for possibly crucial evidences.
They are checking the CCTV footage recorded on Tuesday and Saturday.
CB-CID grills bank, currency loading men
Nearly 20 persons were brought to the CBCID office in Salem for interrogation in connection with the currency theft in Salem- Egmore Express. Amit Kumar Singh, the Special investigating officer, reviewed the process.
Employees of Railways, Banks and security persons were among those where grilled by CBCID teams separately. The nine Salem City Police Armed Reserve personnel were also interrogated.
The currency transporter, loading contractor and their men were also interrogated. Some men involved in loading are north Indians and had gone on leave few days before the theft.
Amit Kukar Singh the Deputy Commissioner, Thirunelvelli District Crime Branch who has been appointed as the Special Investigating Officer interrogated the contractors. Staff of Indian Overseas Bank, the coordinating bank for sending soiled currencies from the region were also interrogated.