A bus conductor with the Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) fell victim to theft at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 43, Chandigarh, on Friday. His bag, containing cash and crucial personal documents, was allegedly stolen from a ticket counter.
The Incident: How the Theft Unfolded
The complainant, Gurwinder Singh, a resident of Chak Fateh Singh Wala village in Bathinda district, reported for his routine duty at the bus stand around 6 am on December 18. Following common practice among the staff, he placed his bag at ticket counter number 27, a spot conductors typically use to keep their belongings secure while working.
Shortly after, the station in-charge assigned him the task of noting down the numbers of buses arriving at the stand. While Gurwinder Singh was occupied with this duty, an unknown individual allegedly took advantage of the situation and made off with his bag.
Contents of the Stolen Bag and Investigation
The stolen property held significant value for the conductor, both monetarily and personally. The bag contained:
- A ticket box used for his official duties.
- Rs 3,000 in cash.
- Important personal documents including his identity card, Aadhaar card, and an ATM card.
Upon realizing his bag was missing, Gurwinder Singh took immediate action. He checked the footage from the CCTV cameras installed at the bus stand, where he reportedly saw a person stealing his property. Armed with this visual evidence, he approached the authorities at the Sector 36 police station and filed a formal complaint.
Police Action and Ongoing Probe
The police have registered a case based on the complaint and have initiated an investigation. The CCTV footage is expected to be a central piece of evidence as officers work to identify and locate the alleged thief. The case remains under active investigation as law enforcement officials follow all necessary leads.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by public transport staff who often have to leave their personal items in semi-secure areas during their shifts. It also underscores the importance of surveillance systems in public transit hubs for both prevention and solving of such crimes.
