In a case highlighting significant delays in police action, an FIR has finally been registered in Ghaziabad for a series of ATM thefts that occurred over two years ago. The State Bank of India's Maharajpur branch suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 3.5 lakh after cash was allegedly stolen from one of its ATMs on six separate occasions in 2023.
A Pattern of Theft Ignored
The thefts targeted an ATM kiosk installed outside the SBI Maharajpur branch. According to the complaint filed by branch chief manager Tushar Richard, the incidents happened on specific dates: February 5, February 26, March 11, March 12, March 18, and March 19, all in 2023. After discovering the discrepancies, bank officials approached the Link Road police station on March 28, 2023, to lodge a formal complaint. They even submitted crucial CCTV footage of the incidents to aid the investigation.
Despite this evidence, the police did not register a First Information Report (FIR) at the time. Frustrated by the inaction, the branch head filed another written complaint on July 29, 2024, as a follow-up to the initial report. Yet, no FIR was filed throughout 2024.
Court Intervention Forces Police Action
With no progress from the police, the complainant was forced to seek judicial intervention. In mid-2025, the bank approached the court, aggrieved by the illegal actions that caused monetary loss and the apparent inaction by authorities. It was only after this court order that the police machinery finally moved.
Shweta Yadav, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Sahibabad, confirmed that following the court's directive, an FIR was registered at the Link Road police station. The case has been filed against an unknown person under section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code.
Systemic Delays and Accountability
This case throws a harsh light on procedural delays within the law enforcement system. A serious crime involving a nationalized bank and substantial financial loss remained without a formal FIR for over two years, despite the complainant providing evidence and making repeated appeals. The timeline of events raises critical questions about police responsiveness and the mechanisms for ensuring accountability in such matters.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for both financial institutions and citizens about the challenges in seeking timely legal recourse. It underscores the importance of persistent follow-up and, ultimately, the role of the judiciary in ensuring that justice is not denied due to administrative inertia.
