Patna police on Tuesday started investigation, into an alleged loot of Rs 17 lakh by bike-borne criminals but suspect an insider role in the daylight incident.

The criminals allegedly snatched the amount from two employees of a medical shop at the Bandar Bagicha area.

Sources said the incident occurred around 1pm under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station.

The police, however, believe the case is a concocted one and are probing the role of an insider.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said the cops are probing the incident. “We have information on the incident but the force has suspicions on some aspects of the case. A proper verification is being conducted at present. No one saw the incident occur. We have no eyewitnesses.”

The senior police officer added: A proper and more concrete information can only come to the fore once the verifications are completed.”

Police sources said that the two employees, identified as Subodh Prasad and Raju, were working at the Bandar Bagicha-based Maruti Medicine Shop.

“A written complaint has been lodged at Kotwali police station. According to information, the duo started for the State Bank of India’s Gandhi Maidan branch on foot with a bag containing the money. They were supposed to deposit the money. On the way, two motorbike-borne criminals intercepted them from behind, snatched the bag and sped away,” a police officer said.

According to the police, the criminals had prior information about the men and the money.

“If the incident is true, it is sure that the criminals had information that the duo were walking towards the bank with the money. The robber-duo would have been then ready for the loot. However, there can be a role of an insider. First, the police need to verify the whole incident. The complainants are being questioned and intricate details are being sought. Based on the information and our probe, the truth will come to light soon,” another police officer told The Telegraph.