A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Haryana’s Nuh district when a police team escorting an ATM Robber came under attack from a local mob attempting to free the accused. The incident has sparked serious concerns about law enforcement safety and mob interference in criminal investigations.
The incident occurred when a team from Meghalaya Police was transporting a suspected ATM Robber from Haryana to Meghalaya after securing transit remand. The accused, identified as Rahul Khan, is believed to be involved in multiple ATM theft and cutting cases across several states. Authorities say he was being taken back for further investigation when the situation spiraled into violence.
According to police officials, the escort team was passing through the Sikrawa area in Nuh district when the accused attempted to create chaos inside the police vehicle. Investigators say the ATM Robber suddenly grabbed the steering wheel of the vehicle, allegedly attempting to overturn it and escape custody. This unexpected move forced the police personnel to halt the vehicle and try to regain control of the situation.
What followed was an alarming escalation. A crowd of around 20 to 30 people quickly gathered near the police vehicle, reportedly including both men and women. The mob surrounded the vehicle and began attempting to free the ATM Robber from police custody. Reports indicate that members of the crowd tried to snatch the keys to the vehicle and even attempted to seize weapons from the officers escorting the accused.
As the confrontation intensified, the police team faced growing threats from the crowd. Officers reported being physically assaulted while trying to prevent the escape of the ATM Robber. In response to the escalating danger and fearing for their safety, the police opened fire in self-defence to disperse the mob. The gunfire was intended as a defensive measure to regain control of the situation and prevent the suspect from escaping.
During the chaos, a local resident identified as Tarif Khan sustained a bullet injury in his leg. Authorities later confirmed that the bullet struck the ground and ricocheted, causing the injury. He was immediately taken to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Rohtak for treatment, where doctors reported that his condition was stable.
Despite the aggressive attempt by the crowd to free the ATM Robber, the police managed to maintain custody of the accused and prevent his escape. Officials say the Meghalaya Police team continued its operation and ensured the suspect remained under arrest.
Following the incident, the Haryana Police registered a case against multiple individuals allegedly involved in the attack. At least twelve people have been named in the First Information Report (FIR), while several others remain unidentified. The charges include obstructing government duty, assaulting police personnel, and attempting to free a criminal suspect from lawful custody.
Police teams have since launched raids in the area to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack. Investigators are also examining video footage and forensic evidence collected from the scene, including empty cartridges and blood samples. Authorities believe these materials will help reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the involvement of the suspects.
Meanwhile, officials have revealed that the ATM Robber at the center of the incident is suspected of being part of a larger network involved in ATM cutting operations across multiple states. Cases linked to similar crimes have been reported in Delhi, Meghalaya, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. Investigators suspect that such networks use sophisticated tools to break open ATM machines and steal cash.
Law enforcement authorities have expressed concern about the increasing trend of mobs interfering with police operations. Such incidents not only endanger officers but also undermine the rule of law by enabling suspects to escape accountability.
Local police officials in Nuh have assured that strict action will be taken against those who attacked the police team. Additional security measures have also been put in place in the area to prevent further disturbances.
The dramatic attempt to rescue the ATM Robber has once again highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies while transporting suspects across states. As investigations continue, authorities say their priority remains bringing all those responsible for the attack to justice and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
