SECOND ATM THEFT IN SEVEN MONTHS

SECOND ATM THEFT IN SEVEN MONTHS

15-JUNE-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------Early Sunday morning, criminals targeted a Bank of India ATM located opposite the Chausa Community Health Centre (CHC) at Yadav Mor—within the district's Mufassil police station area—and stole lakhs of rupees. Shockingly, the incident occurred just 200 meters from the police station, raising serious questions about the area's security arrangements.

According to reports, the criminals arrived in a Bolero vehicle around 2:00 AM. They first sprayed the CCTV cameras—both inside and outside the ATM kiosk—to prevent their identification. Subsequently, using a gas cutter, they cut open the ATM machine, extracted the cash from the internal cash box, and fled. The entire operation was executed within a few minutes.

The police were alerted after the bank's security alarm went off around 2:20 AM; however, the criminals had already escaped by the time the police arrived at the scene. Bank officials stated that ₹17 lakh had been loaded into the ATM on Thursday. Preliminary investigations indicate that approximately ₹12 lakh was stolen.

During the inspection of the crime scene, the police recovered a bedsheet, which is being considered a crucial clue. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has also been summoned for scientific analysis. Meanwhile, locals reported that the perpetrators arrived in a Bolero vehicle; acting on this information, the police are scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding areas.

This incident has heightened police concern because, roughly an hour after the Chausa incident, another theft involving a gas cutter occurred at an Axis Bank ATM in Kochas, Rohtas district. Given the similarities—specifically the use of a gas cutter and a Bolero vehicle—the police suspect the involvement of the same gang.

It is worth noting that this is the second major ATM theft in Chausa within seven months. Previously, on November 30, 2025, an SBI ATM at Akhauripur Gola was cut open using a gas cutter, resulting in the theft of approximately ₹30 lakh. The police have not yet achieved any concrete breakthrough in that case. Against this backdrop, a fresh theft committed in a similar manner has raised questions regarding police functioning and the night patrolling system.

Mufassil Station House Officer (SHO) Shambhu Bhagat stated that a police team arrived at the scene immediately upon receiving the information. CCTV footage from the vicinity is being examined, and every aspect of the case is being thoroughly investigated. This incident, occurring in close proximity to sensitive locations like the police station and the hospital, has heightened public concern regarding security arrangements in the area.