Hyderabad: ATM cash theft accused was arrested by Cyberabad Police at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, and Rs 34.90 lakh was recovered from his possession.
The theft occurred on February 12 within Gachibowli Police Station limits at Gopampalli thanda. Unknown persons stole Rs 56 lakh from a cash transportation vehicle engaged in ATM replenishment. Police registered Crime No.278/2026 under Section 306 BNS and launched an investigation.
During the probe, teams inspected the crime scene, examined CCTV footage and analysed technical evidence. They also questioned staff involved in the cash loading operation. Investigators identified Badigere Ajith Kumar alias Shiva, 34, a driver with Sangam Security Agency, as the ATM cash theft accused.
ATM cash theft accused tracked across states
Police said the accused committed the offence while on duty. When other staff members loaded cash into an ATM, he drove away with the vehicle. For nearly two hours, he misled colleagues by claiming he was having tea at a nearby hotel.
Later, he drove the vehicle to Gaddar Chowrasta in Nallagandla. There, he removed the trunk box containing cash, abandoned the vehicle and escaped in an auto-rickshaw.
That night, he checked into a lodge at RTC Cross Roads posing as a regular traveller. Using an axe blade, he opened the cash box and shifted the money into his bag. He then travelled to Ananthapur and subsequently moved through Ballari, Bengaluru and Pune to evade arrest.
Cyberabad Police formed three special teams to trace the ATM cash theft accused. Based on technical evidence and human intelligence, teams tracked his movements. On February 24 at about 8 am, police apprehended him at RGIA, Shamshabad, while he was attempting to leave for another destination.
Upon interrogation, police recovered Rs 34,90,000 from him under a panchanama. He confessed that he had spent the remaining amount on lavish personal expenses.
ATM cash theft accused remanded
Police remanded the accused under relevant sections of law. Authorities will also initiate action against Sangam Security Agency for alleged negligence in appointing the driver and maintaining identity records, under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, 2005.
The case was detected under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Serilingampally Zone, Ch. Srinivas, and Additional DCP Uday Kumar. CCS Madhapur, SHO Gachibowli Balraj, the Detective Inspector and the Crime Team assisted in the operation.
Cyberabad Police also appreciated SVR Bus Travels driver Umakanth for alertly sharing crucial information that aided detection of the ATM cash theft accused.
Police advised all security agencies to maintain strict vigilance, keep complete staff records and regularly update data with the police.