Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS) 

Bengaluru, Sep 29: A driver of an ATM cash management firm escaped with Rs 99 lac that was to be deposited in the ATM kiosks of the city. This incident occurred on Friday. The police have started a manhunt to apprehend the 23-year-old driver. 

The accused driver, Pawan is a native of Mandya and had joined the company just a week ago. He was given the responsibility of driving a van with cash and three staff member of the company who used to refill the cash in the ATM kiosks in the east division of the city. 

On Friday, at around 4.10 pm, the team of three staffers and the driver Pawan reached ICICI bank ATM kiosk that is located at Kammanahalli. While the custodian of the cash went inside the ATM machine with two gunmen, all of a sudden, Pawan, who was sitting in the vehicle, sped away. Though the gunmen tried to chase the van, they could not do so because of the speed of the vehicle. Police were alerted immediately to apprehend the culprit.

A high level search operation to locate the van was immediately put in place by the city police. Police located the said van near Lingarajapuram, which was abandoned by Pawan. When the police inspected the van, they found that Pawan was unsuccessful in opening the chest locker, which carried more cash in it and managed to escape with only Rs 99 lac that was kept outside the chest. 

According to Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad, DCP of city East division, the cops have information and clues about the movement of Pawan and he will be in their net soon. According to the company officials, Pawan was recruited after double checking his background and he did not have any criminal past. 

A case in this connection is registered in Banaswadi police station and police are searching intensely for the driver, who is on the run.