INDIA COMPUTER EQUIPMENT STOLEN FROM LAB AT MEDICAL UNIVERSITYComputer parts stolen in KGMU- The Times of India LUCKNOW: Computer equipments worth over Rs 6 lakh were stolen from the undergraduate student's computer lab at King George's Medical University (KGMU) on Wednesday.

The parts stolen included hard disks, RAM and microprocessors among other things. Police suspect the role of an insider in the theft.

Though investigations are still underway, prima facie it appeared to be an act done more to create nuisance than for the sake of money.

Nevertheless, the theft was executed in a well-planned manner, which not only has caused financial loss to KGMU, but also academic loss to students as not a single computer in the lab was spared by the thieves.

Inaugurated last year, the lab is situated in the administrative block. Two armed guards and two chowkidars were on duty all night from Tuesday till Wednesday morning, when the theft apparently took place.

The main gate and door, besides the door in the back of the building were locked. There were no signs of tampering with the locks. Further, a ladder was found in the backyard of the building placed against the wall.

However, police said the ladder was more of a distraction as the thieves did not use it to enter the building. The thieves used the window of the ladies bathroom to escape.

The glass on the window pane was found to be removed from inside. Based on these facts, police suspect that 2-3 persons remained inside the building at the time of closure on Tuesday evening.

They devoted all night to carefully opening each and every computer before taking out the parts. The entire act must have taken at least 3-4 hours, said police.

Significantly, all the time when the theft was in progress, guards were outside the building. They told police that they did not hear anything or saw anybody enter the building.

Police took finger and foot prints found in the lab. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service, who after examining the site, went around 'sniffing' up to anatomy department situated near the administrative block before losing track.

Since the lab was used for training of students, the possibility of deliberate theft to tamper with some vital official information was not ruled out.

When contacted, vice-chancellor Prof Mahendra Bhandari expressed shock over the incident and said KGMU would institute an inquiry over the incident.