Delhi cop loses Rs 6 lakh in gaming, scripts ATM thefts to recover losses

A Delhi Police constable has been arrested for orchestrating two ATM thefts in Faridabad, Haryana, following a financial loss of approximately Rs 6-7 lakh in online gaming. According to police, the officer, identified as Hukamchand, reportedly lost substantial sums playing games online and turned to criminal activity to recoup his losses. He allegedly recruited individuals with expertise in gas welding, trained them through YouTube tutorials, and planned a series of ATM break-ins that yielded over Rs 12 lakh within a month. The incidents took place in Faridabad, where Hukamchand, who is part of the Delhi Police's south-west district PCR unit, allegedly devised the scheme. He enlisted his nephew, Arvind, from Atali village in Faridabad, and Vikas Kumar, a resident of Bihar. Both Vikas and another accused, Raju, were experienced in gas-cutting techniques and were tasked with breaching ATMs. The first theft occurred on the night of July 3, when Vikas and Raju allegedly used a gas cutter to access a Hitachi Money Spot ATM located at Bhupani Mod. They reportedly stole Rs 6.5 lakh and fled to Bihar, where they allegedly retained the entire sum, leaving Hukamchand and Arvind without their share. Hukamchand, according to authorities, remained behind the scenes, directing the operation from a distance. He met the accused at a welding shop in Machhgar village, where he assessed their skills and proposed the idea of targeting ATMs. He studied YouTube videos detailing the positioning of ATM cash cassettes and shared these insights with the group. Hukamchand identified ATMs lacking night guards and selected vulnerable locations, passing this information to the others for execution. Following Raju's arrest in Bihar for an unrelated motorcycle theft case, Vikas allegedly distanced himself from Hukamchand and formed a new team with his relatives, Vishal Kumar and Abhishek Kumar. This group is accused of stealing Rs 5.7 lakh from another Hitachi ATM near JCB Chowk in Sector 58 on the night of July 26. Again, Hukamchand was left without his promised share of the proceeds. The gang also attempted a third ATM theft in Sector 58 but reportedly failed. Authorities tracked the suspects using CCTV footage, technical evidence, and surveillance. On August 2, Vikas, Vishal, and Abhishek were arrested in Lucknow. Hukamchand, Arvind, and the remaining accused were subsequently apprehended. Police stated they would seek remand for the accused to recover the stolen funds and investigate whether the gang had engaged in similar ATM thefts in Haryana and neighboring states. The case highlights the complex interplay between personal financial distress and organized criminal behavior. It underscores the potential for individuals in law enforcement roles to succumb to such pressures, leading to actions that contradict their professional duties. As investigations continue, the focus remains on recovering the stolen money and understanding the broader implications of such activities within the region.