PATNA: Amid tight security for President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit, criminals uprooted an automated teller machine (ATM) of HDFC Bank and fled after loading it in an SUV at Ishopur village under the Phulwarisharif police station area in Patna in the wee hours of Thursday.
The ATM had at least Rs 20 lakh in cash. Police sources said money was loaded in the ATM around 3pm on Wednesday and the theft took place around 1.30am. Police said four criminals with their faces covered could be seen in the CCTV camera footage of the neighbourhood. The criminals could be seen tying the machine with heavy ropes and then uprooting it.
At least two
special auxiliary police
(SAP) jawans armed with rifles were on night duty hardly few metres away from the
ATM kiosk
. They, however, did nothing to stop the criminals.
SHO of Phulwarisharif police station Rafique-Ur-Rahman said there were two ATM kiosks at a distance of 200 metres in the area. “The jawans are deployed there every night as the area is theft and crime prone,” he said.
Rahman added the HDFC Bank ATM was managed by a private firm and its regional representative, Raju Kumar Singh, has lodged an FIR in connection with the crime. He said the police were trying to identify the criminals and arrest them.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.