Noida Businessman's New SUV Vandalized in Guarded Film City Parking
A 24-year-old businessman in Noida experienced a shocking incident when he returned to collect his barely three-month-old SUV from a guarded multilevel parking facility in Film City on Sunday, only to find the vehicle completely defaced with red and white paint from end to end.
Security Lapse in Paid Parking Facility
The black Hyundai Creta, which was parked in the basement of the Noida Authority-run complex since March 6, was vandalized inside the paid facility despite the presence of security measures and CCTV surveillance. Nirdosh Bhati, a New Ashok Nagar resident who operates a dairy business in Sector 16, had purchased a monthly pass for Rs 1,500 specifically to park his SUV regularly at this multilevel facility.
"Around Sunday noon, I went to collect the car and was shocked to see it covered in red and white paint. I bought it for Rs 15 lakh on January 20," Bhati stated. He added that two empty paint cans were discovered near the vehicle, indicating the extent of the vandalism.
Attempted Interior Damage and Security Fears
The vandals, according to Bhati, also appeared to have attempted to remove the door seals to push paint into the cabin, though they did not succeed in this effort. Bhati has labeled this incident as a major security lapse and expressed fears that someone could plant objectionable items in the vehicle in the future. He emphasized that he has no personal enmity with anyone and does not suspect any particular individual.
CCTV Footage Reveals Suspects
The parking facility is managed by the private firm MG Infra Solutions. Amit Kumar, the parking supervisor, provided crucial details from the CCTV footage. "CCTV footage showed three men arriving on a scooter at 2:27 AM on Sunday. Two were wearing helmets and the third had his face covered with a scarf. They entered through the exit and left the same way a couple of minutes later. The incident was captured on CCTV, and the details have been shared with police," Kumar explained.
Compensation and Insurance Issues
A senior Noida Authority official clarified that the safety of vehicles is the sole responsibility of the agency running the parking site and that it should compensate for the damage. However, Bhati reported that both the service center and his insurer informed him that paint damage is not covered under any policy, leaving him in a difficult position regarding repair costs.
Police Investigation Underway
Arvind Kumar, the Sector 20 Station House Officer (SHO), confirmed that police have registered a case of causing damage by mischief under Section 324 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unidentified suspects. Authorities are actively scanning the CCTV footage to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Background on the Parking Facility
Built in 2021 at a cost of Rs 110 crore, the three-storey Film City parking facility can accommodate approximately 1,400 vehicles and is typically about 80% occupied. This incident raises significant questions about the security protocols in such high-capacity, paid parking structures managed by private firms under public authority oversight.
