Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, May 16: It came to light on Wednesday May 15 morning that thieves had taken away Rs 4,52,507 by breaking open the auto payment machine located in the heart of Padubidri town.

The machine belonging go Idea Infinity IT Solutions Bengaluru has been installed in the first floor of Padubidri branch of Mescom. The cash accumulated in the machine was to be remitted to Mescom by the said agency on Wednesday morning. The theft came to light when the staff arrived at the office on Wednesday.

Surprisingly, the door that facilitates entry into Mescom branch office was wide open. It seemed like facilitating the thieves. The police have taken Mescom officials to task for keeping the main door of the branch office open.

The office is surrounded by village office, hospital, and residential complex. Therefore, the locals feel it difficult to believe that theft had taken place here. Padubidri station house officer, Satish, has registered a case and begun investigation. The police have checked CCTV footage of different business establishments in the area.

District superintendent of police, Nisha James, Karkala assistant superintendent of police, Krishnakanth, Kaup police circle inspector, Shantaram, sniffer dogs and finger print experts visited the area and looked for clues.

Mescom's Kaup sub-divisional officer, Chandrashekhar, said that the amount collected in the machine was more on Tuesday as people paid large number of bills, as it happened to be the weekly market day. He blamed Idea Infinity's irresponsibility for the theft and said that it is the duty of this agency to remit the entire amount lost to Mescom.