Bangalore ATM attack: Police clueless after three days

Bangalore: Three days after the brutal attack on a woman bank official at an unguarded ATM kiosk here, police remained cluess today about the assailant and announced a reward of Rs one lakh to anyone providing information leading to his arrest.

The condition of the 38-year old bank official, paralysed on her right side after she was hit with the machete by the assailant, meanwhile was "much better", the hospital where she is recovering, said.

"The patient's general condition is much better than yesterday. She is conscious and speaking. Her neurological status remains the same (right side paralysis)," BGS Global Hospital said in a release.

Asked about reports that an individual resembling the suspect had been taken into custody in Tumkur district, Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said "Bangalore Police hasn't picked up anybody as far as I know. It's only the media which is reporting  about it."

Police had on Thursday picked up the man to whom the assailant had allegedly sold the victim's mobile phone at Hindupur town in Andhra Pradesh and was questioned for leads.

In the attack at the ATM kiosk near a police station in the heart of the city, the woman was repeatedly hit with the machete by the assailant, leaving her in a pool of blood for nearly three hours before two school children saw blood stains and informed a policeman who rushed her to the hospital.

After the brazen attack, caught on CCTV, he had walked out of the kiosk downing the shutter and taking away her mobile, leaving the bleeding woman in a serious condition.

With the incident sparking nationwide outrage and concern over safety at ATMs, Karnataka government has cracked the whip, telling banks that they should provide security or shutdown ATMs.