Chhapra, Jan. 3: Revelganj police station in-charge Shri Ram Thakur was today suspended for failing to prevent the Rs 45-lakh robbery at the Tekniwas branch of Bank of India.

Senior police officers continued to blame the bank authorities for ignoring security measures at the branch.

Saran superintendent of police (SP) A.K. Satyarthi said security lapse on part of the bank authorities was shocking, as robbers have targeted this branch twice before. “In 2001, Rs 7.5 lakh was stolen from this branch. In 1994, robbers stole Rs 1.25 lakh.

“We are investigating the matter from all angles. The role of bank employees is also under scanner. It is obvious that the criminals had help from an insider. They probably conducted a recce and were familiar with the interior of the bank. The robbers also knew that there would be no night guard and a large amount was waiting in the locker to be taken.”

When the bank officers were asked about the alleged lax security at the bank, they evaded the question.

Branch manager Shankar Gopal told The Telegraph: “There is no provision for appointing a night guard for the branch. I am on leave so I cannot tell you why so much money was kept in the bank. I think it was probably to pay pension on January 2.”

The police, however, are confident that they will nab the robbers soon.

Satyarthi said a team has been constituted under the stewardship of his deputy Ajay Kumar to nab the criminals. Police station in-charges of Bhagwan Bazaar, Revelganj, Baniapur, Kopa, Ekma and Manjhi are members of this team.