Police Uniform Robbery at Chandigarh CTU Branch: Guard Confined, Rs 14 Lakh Stolen
In a brazen early morning heist that exposed significant security vulnerabilities, a man dressed in police uniform stole nearly Rs 14 lakh from the cash branch of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) at Sector 17 Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on Tuesday. The incident occurred despite the presence of a functional police post within the same building complex, raising serious questions about security protocols and monitoring.
Security Guard Overpowered in Pre-Dawn Incident
The CTU cash branch, located strategically on the first floor of the busy bus stand, became the target of a meticulously planned robbery around 4 am. A man wearing what appeared to be an authentic police uniform approached the entrance, immediately catching the attention of the lone security guard on duty.
Gaurav, a 23-year-old security guard hailing from Balongi, Mohali, with roots in Uttarakhand, was stationed inside the premises. According to police statements, Gaurav became naturally alarmed at the sight of someone in uniform at such an unusual hour, but his vigilance was quickly exploited by the cunning perpetrator.
Deception and Confinement Tactics
The accused, maintaining his police impersonation, allegedly informed Gaurav that illegal activities were suspected within the cash branch and that he had arrived for an official inspection. Under the psychological pressure of dealing with what he believed was a legitimate police officer, Gaurav reluctantly opened the door, allowing the imposter access to the secured area.
Once inside, the man continued his elaborate charade, posing as a police official conducting routine checks. He specifically inquired about the locker system and the location of keys, questions that seemed plausible given his assumed authority. As soon as Gaurav provided the requested information, demonstrating the extent of his deception, the accused swiftly locked the guard inside a room within the cash branch itself.
The Heist and Delayed Discovery
With the security guard effectively neutralized, the robber proceeded to open the locker without hindrance. He systematically removed approximately Rs 14 lakh in cash before making his escape from the scene. Despite Gaurav's desperate shouts for help, his voice was reportedly drowned out by the ambient noises typical of a bus stand complex, even during early morning hours.
The confinement lasted until around 4:10 am when a woman employee arrived for her morning shift. Hearing Gaurav's persistent cries, she promptly unlatched the door from outside, freeing the trapped guard. Gaurav immediately notified CTU officials about the shocking breach, who in turn alerted the local police authorities without delay.
Police Investigation and Security Lapses
A response team from Sector 17 police station quickly reached the crime scene and launched a comprehensive investigation. Police recorded Gaurav's detailed statement and began examining CCTV camera footage from the surrounding area to identify the suspect and trace his movements. Preliminary inquiries revealed a crucial factor that likely motivated the timing of the robbery: due to four consecutive holidays preceding the incident, a substantial amount of cash had accumulated within the branch, making it a particularly attractive target for the calculated theft.
Police officials confirmed that intensive efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the accused. The incident has highlighted multiple security concerns, including the effectiveness of guard protocols when confronted with authority figures, the vulnerability of cash storage during extended closures, and the ironic proximity of a police post that failed to prevent the crime.
