Temple festival vibes after robbing bank; crime to escape wife's wrath

CHALAKUDY: Even after robbing Rs 15 lakhs from a Federal bank branch in Potta, the accused Rijo Anotny kept a laid-back attitude while engaging in talks with locals and relatives. With no ounces of guilt, Rijo even went to participate in the nearby temple festival.

The dress, overcoat and gloves worn during the robbery were burnt at the back of the house. A day after the crime, the accused felt that the police might have lost track of him.

The robbery happened on Friday afternoon. Coming back home, Rijo took rest and by evening he went to Potta junction to buy domestic essentials for the house. Returning home, he even read news about the bank robbery on his mobile phone. By night, Rijo was at the Annanad Veluppilly temple festival.

During this trip, he returned the Rs 2.90 lakh he had bought from his friend Bineesh. On the same day, he reached the ancestral home in Meloor. On Sunday, there was a family get-together at this house and undoubtedly, Rijo was the most active in the pack. He was lively throughout the whole event as per other family members.

By late evening, the children were sent to the neighbouring house for tuition class. By this time, a video of Rijo dancing in high spirits among a few youths at the temple festival went viral on social media.

It is reported that the accused went for the crime in fear of facing his wife, who was supposed to visit Kerala next month from abroad. Most of the money that his wife sent from abroad was spent on booze and extravaganza. Rijo used to call his friends at home during noon hours and indulged in revelry. The fact that his wife would demand details of the money scared Rijo and he was on a run to find ways to settle his debt before next month.