GURUNDIA(SUNDARGARH): A cash loading staffer of Cash Mailing Service (CMS) and a driver were arrested by Rourkela police on Tuesday for their involvement in the theft of Rs25.81 lakh from SBI’s ATM at Gurundia block of Sundargarh district.
After closure on March 25 and March 26, the rural branch of SBI at Gurundia in Bonai sub-division on Monday received numerous complaints about malfunctioning of its ATM. With the help of the private cash vending agency, CMS, the branch authorities detected the theft and lodged a complaint at Gurundia police station on Monday night.
IG of Police (Western Range) R K Sharma said two culprits were arrested. He said investigation revealed CMS’s custodian-1 Jiten Pradhan was aware of the secret codes of the ATMs in Bonai sub-division and he roped in the driver of the cash carrying vehicle, Aushad Kalandi, to commit the crime.
Rourkela SP Anirudh Singh said about Rs 17 lakh has been recovered. On the remaining amount, the SP said prime accused Pradhan claimed that as he used to load less cash in some ATMs, he deposited about Rs 8 lakh in the ATM of Bonai and rest amount in another ATM to meet the shortfall. The SP said Pradhan’s claim was being verified with the bank records.
SBI Regional Manager B B Das said adequate cash was loaded in the ATM at Gurundia on March 24 in view of next two holidays. He said while committing the crime, the main accused also removed the ATM’s Central Processing Unit. Apparently, Pradhan’s contract was ending on Tuesday.
Gurundia being a remote place with poor internet and mobile network, the incident came to light only on Monday. A case has been registered and the accused would be forwarded to court on Wednesday.