ATM heist: Accused turns out to be complainant in Kozhikode incident

KOYILANDI: The police have revealed that the complainant in a recent ATM cash heist case in Kozhikode was actually the mastermind behind the fraudulent theft. Suhail (25), a resident of Suhana Mansil, initially claimed he was held hostage and robbed of ₹72.40 lakh, but further investigation uncovered that he, along with his friends, staged the crime.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when Suhail, an employee of India One ATM filling agency, reported that he was assaulted and robbed by two unidentified masked men while on his way to fill ATM machines. According to Suhail’s original statement, the men allegedly ambushed him by making one of them fall onto the bonnet of his car. When Suhail stopped the vehicle, the other assailant supposedly covered his mouth and nose through the car window, pulled him to the backseat, tied his legs and sprinkled chili powder all over his body. Suhail claimed he was later abandoned in a forest, unconscious.

Suhail initially stated that ₹25 lakh was stolen but soon changed his story, increasing the amount to ₹72.40 lakh. This inconsistency raised suspicions. The ATM company later confirmed a total of ₹75 lakh was missing, prompting the police to launch a detailed investigation.

A special investigation team, led by Rural SP Nithin Raj, was formed, and Suhail was interrogated on Saturday night. During the inquiry, the police discovered ₹37 lakh in the possession of Suhail's friend, Taha. Following this breakthrough, Suhail was arrested by the Koyilandi police.

Suhail worked for a local contractor, Muhammad, from Payyoli, who was responsible for ATM money transfers. On the day of the incident, Suhail had set off from Koyilandi to Arikkulam in a car bearing the registration number KL 56 W 3723. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Suhail and his associates had planned the theft in an attempt to deceive the authorities.