In a brazen late-night heist, a group of unidentified robbers made off with the cash tray of an ATM in Ludhiana's Basti Jodhewal area. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, exposing significant security lapses at the financial kiosk.
The Midnight Heist: How It Happened
The robbery took place at an ATM kiosk located in Kailash Nagar around 2 am on Saturday. According to police, two to three accused arrived in a white car armed with a gas cutter. They found their task simplified as the main shutter of the ATM kiosk was unlocked, and the site was without a security guard. The group swiftly entered, used the gas cutter to break open the ATM machine, and fled with the cash tray within a mere five minutes.
Police Response and Investigation Challenges
SHO of Jodhewal police station, Inspector Jasvir Singh, stated that information was received at the police control room (PCR) immediately after the crime. A PCR team was dispatched to the spot but the accused had already escaped. "We are tracking the accused, who have escaped out of Ludhiana," Inspector Singh added. A major hurdle in the investigation is the lack of surveillance. There was no CCTV inside the ATM kiosk, nor outside it. The only camera was inside the ATM itself. While some area CCTVs captured the suspects' car, details remain scarce.
The exact amount stolen is yet to be confirmed as the bank was closed. The police said the bank would ascertain the figure after opening on Monday. However, locals indicated that the ATM had been refilled with cash just two days prior to the robbery, suggesting a potentially significant loss.
A Glaring Ignorance of Police Directives
This incident highlights a critical disregard for existing security protocols. The Ludhiana police have previously issued orders mandating that all ATM kiosks without security guards must be shut after 8 pm. In this case, while the shutter was down, it was left unlocked, rendering the directive ineffective. The absence of a guard further compounded the vulnerability. A case has been registered by the Jodhewal police against unidentified accused.
The robbery raises serious questions about the enforcement of security measures at ATMs, especially during night hours in less monitored areas. It serves as a stark reminder to banks and ATM operators to adhere strictly to police guidelines to prevent such audacious crimes.
