Jaipur: The Rs 51 lakh ATM cash van robbery in Bikaner district was allegedly orchestrated by the van’s cash custodian, who police said tipped off his associates and unlocked the cash compartment after staging a fake armed robbery.Police Monday arrested Vikram Singh, a custodian employed by the cash management company and a resident of Charkada village in Nokha, and his alleged associate Shyamsunder Jat of Swarupdesar in Panchu. Two other accused, identified as Ashok of Dawan village in Nokha and Manish Prajapat of Deu village in Nagaur district, are absconding. Vikram and Shyamsunder were remanded in police custody for seven days.The robbery took place on Aug 5 between Nokha and Sarunda. Armed men travelling in a Bolero Camper allegedly intercepted the cash management van, threatened its occupants with a pistol and fled with the cash chest containing Rs 51 lakh.According to police, the four accused had spent nearly 15 days planning the robbery, using Vikram’s knowledge of the cash collection schedule, ATM replenishment route and security procedures.Investigators alleged that Vikram altered the van’s route on the day of the robbery. After collecting cash from a bank in Nokha, he allegedly persuaded the crew to proceed towards Sarunda on the pretext of replenishing another bank’s ATM before returning.Investigators alleged that Vikram manipulated the cash replenishment route on the day of the robbery. Instead of depositing the cash into an ATM after collecting it from a bank in Nokha, he allegedly persuaded the van crew to first proceed towards Sarunda on the pretext of refilling another bank’s ATM and returning later.Police said Vikram alerted his associates as the van approached Roda village. The gang allegedly intercepted it a few kilometres before Sarunda. Investigators said Vikram then pretended to be held at gunpoint and unlocked the cash compartment, allowing the assailants to take the money.Police said the accused met in Nokha on Aug 4 to finalise the plan. Investigators also found that Manish and Shyamsunder had studied together at an ITI in Nagaur.The investigation is continuing to trace the two absconding accused and recover the looted cash.
