ATM theft suspect held with cash

TT, Cooch Behar, March 9: A 22-year-old youth was detained by Islampur police from the bus terminus area of the town this morning and Rs 12.5 lakh was recovered from him.

Cooch Behar police superintendent Sunil Yadav said the youth, Zakir Hussain, is a resident of Dhubri in Assam, and he was a suspect in connection with the theft of an Automated Teller Machine belonging to the State Bank of India on Monday night.

The machine that contained over Rs 20 lakh was stolen from Khagrabari on the outskirts of Cooch Behar town.

"The youth has been detained at Islampur police station and we have sent a team from Kotwali police station to interrogate him. We suspect that the youth could be part of the Dhubri-based gang, which was involved in the ATM theft. He had Rs 12.5 lakh in cash. We have also informed the bank so that the numbers of the notes could be verified," Yadav said.

Amit Kumar Bharat Rathod, the North Dinajpur police superintendent, said the youth was detained around 6am today.

"He was questioned by our patrol and the cash was found concealed in his trouser and shirt pockets. We have informed the Cooch Behar police. The model code of conduct is in force and if a person carries more than Rs 50,000, he or she should be able to produce supporting documents for it. Till now, the youth has not been able give any satisfactory explanation," Rathod said.