Police bust gang that looted Rs 1.67 Crore from ATM van in Odisha’s Cuttack, 7 arrested

Cuttack: In a major crackdown, a probe team today busted an ATM van loot gang and arrested seven persons in connection with the broad daylight heist. Robbers had decamped with cash of around Rs 1.67 crore on November 10, 2023, after looting at Godijharia under Tigiria police limits of Cuttack district.

Some employees belonging to a cash management service (CMS) company are involved in the crime. After intercepting the vehicle on a road at Godijharia on the intervening day, the gang looted the entire cash at gunpoint. Police have recovered and later seized cash of around Rs 64.45 lakh, three knives, and a toy gun from the possession of the gang members following the arrest, a senior cop said.

The robbers had hatched a plan to loot to compensate after they lost nearly Rs 15 lakh in online games. Two staff of the CMS company are the masterminds in ATM van loot, the cop added.

“Two prime accused had paid Supari (a contract amount) to a history-sheeter criminal named Kalim Khan from Tigiria locality for loot. The gang previously failed in executing their plan twice before looting the ATM van at gunpoint. The arrested are from Kankala village of Tigiria. However, the key accused persons are absconding,” Cuttack Rural SP Mihir Kumar Panda said mediapersons.

Police constituted a special team and are carrying out a detailed probe, which is underway. If required, the arrested will be brought on remand. More than 15 persons were involved in the heist, the SP stated.