Archive · 1 Oct 2026
76-year-old Man Sentenced for 1988 Wayanad Bank Robbery
A bank in Wayanad was robbed in 1988 by a group of six people.
The robbers broke the bank’s locks and took a safe, gold ornaments and cash.
Two people who came to the bank after hearing noise were attacked with a crowbar.
Several people were convicted in the years after the robbery.
One accused, O K Babu, surrendered in 2017 and was later sentenced.
Police arrested Abdul Samad in October 2024.
He was tried while being held in judicial custody.
The court has now sentenced him to 13 years in prison and fined him Rs 16,000.
Abdul Samad, 76, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a 1988 bank robbery.
He was also fined Rs 16,000, with an additional 10 months’ imprisonment if he fails to pay.
The Nallurnad Service Cooperative Bank was robbed on January 8, 1988, by a six-member gang.
The gang stole a safe, nearly one kilogram of gold ornaments and Rs 5,544 in cash.
Samad was arrested in October 2024; the trial examined about 40 witnesses and included 166 documents and 21 material objects.
- Who
- Abdul Samad, a 76-year-old Kollam native, was sentenced in the case.
- What
- He received a 13-year prison sentence and a Rs 16,000 fine for his role in the 1988 robbery of Nallurnad Service Cooperative Bank.
- When
- The robbery occurred on January 8, 1988; police arrested Samad in October 2024, and the sentence was subsequently issued.
- Where
- The robbery took place at Nallurnad Service Cooperative Bank in Wayanad.
- Why
- The prosecution said a six-member gang broke into the bank, stole valuables and cash, and attacked two people who arrived after hearing the noise.
- Convict
- Abdul Samad, 76, a native of Kollam
- Sentence
- 13 years in prison
- Fine
- Rs 16,000, with 10 additional months in prison if unpaid
- Robbery date
- January 8, 1988
- Stolen property
- A safe, nearly one kilogram of gold ornaments and Rs 5,544 in cash
- Gang size
- Six members
- Evidence
- Around 40 witnesses, 166 documents and 21 material objects
