Pune: In a swift and well-coordinated operation, officers from Samarth Police Station arrested two individuals in connection with an ATM tampering and financial fraud case in the Rasta Peth area of Pune.
The incident came to light on the evening of June 5, 2025, when a local resident attempted to withdraw cash from a Bank of India ATM located in front of Raj Restaurant. Although the transaction was processed, the individual did not receive any money from the machine. Realizing something was amiss, the citizen filed a complaint, which was registered under Crime Report No. 122/2025, invoking IPC Sections 318(4) and 3(5).
Acting on the complaint, senior officers instructed a team from Samarth Police Station to investigate the matter. The team promptly set up a surveillance operation near the ATM in question. On June 6, 2025, officers observed two men entering the ATM booth and tampering with the machine using a screwdriver. Their suspicious behavior led to their immediate detention for questioning.
Upon interrogation, the two suspects identified themselves as Santosh Kumar Kishorilal Saroj, 28, and Pradeep Kumar Nandkishore Maurya, 26, both originally from Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh and currently residing in Pune. The accused confessed to placing a black adhesive strip on the ATM’s cash dispensing shutter the previous day, which prevented money from being disbursed. They had returned to retrieve the trapped cash when they were caught in the act.
Further inquiries revealed that one of the accused had a prior case of ATM fraud registered against him at Warje Malwadi Police Station. During the arrest, police recovered a black strip used in the tampering process, four ATM cards from various banks, and some cash from the duo.
The case is currently under investigation to determine whether the accused are linked to other similar incidents in the city or beyond. Authorities suspect a larger network may be involved.
This successful operation was carried out under the leadership and guidance of Hon. Rajesh Bansode, Additional Commissioner of Police, Western Region; Hon. Nikhil Pingle, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Division-1 (Additional Charge); and Hon. Mrs. Anuja Deshmane, Sixth Commissioner of Police, Faraskhana Division. Senior Inspector Mr. Umesh Gitte of Samarth Police Station, Inspector (Crime) Chetan More, and Police Sub-Inspector Jalindar Phadtare led the operation, with support from police personnel including Rohidas Waghere, Imran Sheikh, Auchare, Shiva Kamble, Amol Gawde, Sharad Ghorpade, Bhagyesh Yadav, and others.
Samarth Police have urged the public to remain vigilant while using ATMs and report any suspicious activity immediately. They reiterated their commitment to taking firm action against those involved in financial fraud.
