Amid death threats and with guns pointed at them, two brave women fought and overpowered armed robbers at a Gurugram bank on Tuesday. Police Commissioner of Gurugram, Sandeep Khirwar, has announced to award the two State Bank of India (SBI) employees for their bravery.
Around 2.30pm, two armed men with covered faces entered the SBI Eko Counter on Sohna Road. The bank is just a few hundred metres from the Badshahpur police station. They were later identified as Mohit Kumar, 20, and Deepak Kumar, 21, residents of Bhiwani.
After thrashing the bank employees, the robbers were trying to flee from the spot with the cash when staffers Bimla Devi, 42, and Poonam Devi, 22, challenged them. Soon, the four were involved in a scuffle. Meanwhile, people present outside the bank came in and got hold of the two accused, who were later handed over to the police.
"As it was lunch time, only two of us were in the branch. The security guard had also gone for lunch. Suddenly, these two men came in and pushed us away from the cash locker, which was attached to the table," Poonam Devi said. She was slapped by one of the assailants.
According to the police, when Bimla started screaming, the robbers took out their weapons and threatened her of dire consequences. They then detached the cash box from the table, and were in the process of getting out.
"I could not stop myself. I went to one of the robbers and somehow managed to snatch his gun. Then I started shouting and people from outside came in and got total control of them," Bimla said.
Talking about the incident, Poonam said: "I was very apprehensive but the thought of my death made me courageous." The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera.
The locals thrashed the two men, who were detained in the bank till the Badshahpur police reached the spot, confiscated their firearms, and arrested them. During initial investigation, it was revealed that they had come to Gurugram from Bhiwani for the heist.
Meanwhile, commending the two women for their bravery, Commissioner Khirwar said: "The bravery exhibited by these women should be appreciated. We are going to give them an award for their heroic act."
The police have confiscated two country-made pistols and three live cartridges from the accused. A case has been registered against the assailants under Sections 392, 397, 459, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various Sections of the Arms Act, at the Badshahpur police station.
