2 weeks ago
Bidar ATM murder suspects arrested in Bihar after 19-month hunt
About a year and a half ago, two men on a motorcycle robbed a bank cash machine in a city called Bidar in India.
During the robbery, they shot at workers who were bringing money to fill the machine.
One worker, Mr. Giri Venkatesh, died, and another worker was badly hurt.
The robbers took a box full of money and rode away.
Then they disappeared, traveling very far to a place called Bihar, about 1,500 kilometers away.
The police in Bidar did not give up.
A small group of officers stayed in Bihar for many months, renting a house and quietly watching and waiting.
The criminals always rode a motorcycle and wore helmets to hide their faces.
The police finally caught them near a forest.
The people of Bidar were so happy that they celebrated, gave the police flowers, and even played a movie hero's song.
Two men accused of a January 16, 2025 daylight ATM cash robbery and murder in Bidar were arrested after a nearly 19-month hunt.
The suspects allegedly fired on CMS employees replenishing an SBI ATM, killing cash custodian Giri Venkatesh and seriously injuring Shivakumar Ladageri.
They escaped with a trunk containing Rs 83 lakh and fled about 1,500 km to Bihar.
Bidar police, led by SP Pradeep Gunti, quietly stationed a team in Bihar, even renting a house while following leads for months.
The suspects, who traveled on a motorcycle wearing helmets, were intercepted by disguised police teams in Damodarpur, about 15 km from their village.
- Who
- Two men accused of the ATM cash robbery and murder, pursued by Bidar police led by SP Pradeep Gunti; the victims were CMS cash custodian Giri Venkatesh (killed) and CMS employee Shivakumar Ladageri (injured).
- What
- The suspects were arrested for allegedly firing on CMS employees, stealing Rs 83 lakh during an SBI ATM replenishment, and killing a cash custodian in Bidar.
- Where
- The robbery took place in Bidar, and the suspects were arrested in Damodarpur, Bihar, about 15 km from their village.
- When
- The robbery occurred on January 16, 2025; the arrests came on a Wednesday about 19 months later, with surveillance stepped up over the preceding 20 days.
- Why
- The suspects allegedly opened fire on CMS employees carrying cash to replenish an SBI ATM, killing Giri Venkatesh, leading to a prolonged police manhunt.
Critics
Police and supporters
Police handling of the case
Critics
In some quarters there was quiet criticism that the police were not pursuing the case seriously, with few visible signs of progress for nearly 19 months.
Police and supporters
Bidar police, on SP Pradeep Gunti's directive, were quietly working far away in Bihar, with a stationed team renting a house and following leads for months, ultimately intercepting the suspects.
Key facts
- Robbery date
- January 16, 2025
- Robbery location
- Bidar, Karnataka, India
- Amount stolen
- Rs 83 lakh
- Victim killed
- Giri Venkatesh, CMS cash custodian
- Person injured
- Shivakumar Ladageri, CMS employee
- Arrest location
- Damodarpur, Bihar, about 1,500 km from Bidar
- Investigation lead
- Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti
- Wanted by
- Telangana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh police
Quotes
Shivakumar Ladageri
Injured CMS employee who was shot during the Bidar ATM robbery
“Even after 19 months, the police succeeded in arresting them.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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