In a significant breakthrough, the Haryana Police Special Task Force (STF) apprehended the leader of an inter-state ATM cutter gang, who was carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000, along with an associate in a Saturday operation. The arrests were made from Raipuri village in the Nuh district, dealing a blow to a criminal network active across multiple states.
Dramatic Raid Nets Wanted Criminals
The Palwal unit of the STF conducted the raid on Saturday, leading to the capture of two key accused. They have been identified as Niyamat alias Ghoda, a resident of Raipuri village in Nuh, and Ranveer alias Rana, who hails from Dhanduka village. During the operation, the police team recovered one country-made pistol and two live cartridges from the suspects.
Following the seizure, a formal case was registered against the duo at the Akera police station. The charges were filed under sections 25(1-B)(a), 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. The arrests mark the culmination of an intensive manhunt for the criminals involved in high-value ATM thefts.
A Trail of Crimes Across Four States
Investigation reveals that Niyamat, the gang leader, was wanted with a reward on his head due to an ATM theft case registered in Uttar Pradesh. Both he and Ranveer were also actively sought in connection with a major theft in Moradabad. In that incident, Rs 6.9 lakh were stolen by cutting open an ATM on the intervening night of November 24 and 25. A case for this crime was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Moradabad, and the accused had been evading capture since.
Niyamat's criminal portfolio is extensive. Police records show he has 11 criminal cases registered against him in Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. The charges against him are severe and varied, including:
- Offences under the Arms Act
- House-breaking and theft
- Destruction of evidence
- Attempt to murder
- Organised crime
These cases span jurisdictions in Faridabad, Palwal, Gurugram, Nuh, Alwar, Delhi, and Moradabad, painting a picture of a seasoned inter-state offender.
Associate Also a Repeat Offender
Niyamat's associate, Ranveer, is no less of a criminal threat. He is a repeat offender with 10 cases already registered against him in Haryana and Rajasthan. His chargesheet includes serious offences such as house-breaking, theft, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and organised crime under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A senior STF officer involved in the operation stated that the next step is a thorough interrogation. "We will produce the accused before the court concerned and interrogate them to verify their involvement in other cases and identify their associates," the officer said. This move is expected to help police uncover more details about the gang's operations and possibly solve several other pending theft cases across the region.
The successful operation by the Haryana STF highlights continued efforts to crack down on organised gangs involved in financial crimes and ATM thefts, which have been a persistent challenge for law enforcement in the National Capital Region and adjoining states.
