Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 13: The Udupi additional JMFC court on Thursday August 13 sentenced a thief to three years in jail and imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 for stealing from a bank six years ago.

Rishikesh from Ambalpady was arrested on charges of stealing Rs 82,093.50 from the strong room of KM Marg branch of Vijaya Bank in 2009.

File photos of the incident

On November 4, 2009, Rishikesh, who was an AC mechanic by profession, managed to convince the chief manager of Vijaya Bank branch that he was sent from the regional office to repair the air conditioner in the ATM room. After repairing the AC, he told the staff that he had to go to the washroom to wash his hands, but instead gained access into the strong room stealthily without anyone's notice.

He hid in a corner of the strong room till night and at around 9 pm came out of the hiding to open the locked almirahs using a sharp-edged rod. He then took a sum of Rs 20, 000 from inside the almirah and Rs 62, 093.50 from the cash box using a key which was lying on the box. However, he could not get out of the strong room as it was locked by the bank officials, and stayed the night.

The next morning, the bank officials found the thief hiding in a corner of the strong room and handed him over to the police. A case was registered in the Udupi town police station.

PCI S V Girish submitted the indictment report. District and sessions judge V N Milan pronounced the judgment. The public prosecutor was Mumtaz. Public prosecutors Raju Pujari and Shanti Bai examined the witnesses.