Man held for stealing school books worth lakhs in Ellenabad

A man was caught stealing books worth Rs 2 lakh from the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Ellenabad. The theft was recorded in the footage of the CCTV camera installed on the school premises. Later, the school principal, with the help of staff, caught the accused and handed him over to the police.

The accused has been identified as Satpal, alias Sattu, a resident of Ellenabad. According to school Principal Krishan Kumar, this was not the first time Sattu had stolen from the school. He had committed similar thefts on February 8 and 11. The principal said the accused had stolen school taps earlier.

The latest incident occurred around 3 am on April 14, when Sattu broke into the school premises and stole hundreds of books and filled them in sacks. He loaded sacks on a cycle cart and left the school premises. When the principal arrived the next day and saw the CCTV footage, he recognised Sattu. The staff kept a watch for four days and finally caught the accused near school on April 19.

However, a police team released Sattu while on way to the police station. When the principal and school staff went to the police station and demanded an explanation in this connection, the police took Sattu into custody.

During questioning, Sattu admitted selling stolen books to a junk dealer near the Model School. The police recovered seven sacks of school books from the shop. The books were for Classes VI to VIII students and were to be reused until new ones arrived.

Sattu, who is said to be addicted to drugs, was presented in a court and sent to judicial custody. He had previously been released on bail for similar thefts, but again took to the crime shortly after.

Haryana Tribune