Times News Network
Ludhiana: An employee of a Khanna-based private firm, who alleged that two unknown assailants robbed him of Rs 8 lakh on Monday, was arrested for fabricating the robbery story. The employee and his accomplice had taken the money, which the police later recovered from them.
The arrested accused are Harshpreet Singh, alias Jassu, from Ramgarh Sardaran of Malaud, and his friend Gaurav Singh. Harshpreet Singh is an employee of rice trader Vishal Kumar from Mandi Gobindgarh.
Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ashwani Gotyal said Harshpreet informed the police he had collected a cheque from his office and went to the bank to withdraw the cash. He claimed that after withdrawing Rs 8 lakh, two miscreants in an auto-rickshaw assaulted him near Salaudi village and snatched the bag containing the cash. Harshpreet also reported minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. A case was registered against unidentified assailants. The SSP said that several police teams were formed and CCTV footage from the area was reviewed. The footage showed Harshpreet riding a bike, and later, without the bag, appearing uninjured. Also, the location where Harshpreet claimed the robbery occurred was far from where he was seen without the cash bag.
Upon questioning, Harshpreet confessed to the crime. He admitted to withdrawing Rs 8 lakh from the firm’s account and handing the cash to his friend Gaurav, then fabricating the robbery story. Harshpreet kept Rs 5 lakh for himself and gave Gaurav Rs 3 lakh.