CB-CID claims breakthrough in train heist

Reports said that the investigating team has ‘found’ the material that was used to drill the hole in the roof of the parcel van coach in which Rs 342 crore soiled currencies of Rs 100, 500 denominations were being transported in 228 wooden and truck boxes. 

According to sources, 20 special teams of the CB-CID have found the material, that was used to drill the hole at Salem. The teams, which were camping in Salem, have so far interrogated about 34 people, belonging to the railway department. All of them were interrogated separately, the sources said, adding, the investigators inquired as to who reported to work on the day of crime, and who did not. 

The train, which had left Salem on the night of August 8, reached Chennai Egmore at 3.57 am on August 9 and it was taken to the Chetpet yard after the passengers alighted. 

The theft came to light, when the parcel van was opened in the presence of RBI officials around noon. Two of the wooden boxes were found broken and cash to the tune of Rs 5.75 crore was found missing. The miscreants decamped with the booty by chiselling the metallic roof of the coach. Since it is practically impossible to drill a hole on a running train, investigation is underway to determine if the roof was chiselled when the train was parked at Salem yard or from inside the coach by the thieves while the currency boxes were being loaded.