In Assam, a case of rodent infestation took a bizarre turn after mice shredded bank notes worth over Rs 12 lakh inside an out-of-order SBI ATM. The incident took place in Assam’s Tinsukia.
According to local reports, the ATM had been out of service since May 20. However, it was only on June 11 that authorities tried to check the machine for repairs.
- Notes worth over Rs. 12 lakh were found shredded apart into pieces.
- The ATM (DFBK – 000196116) which belongs to the State Bank of India (SBI) is located in Laipuli area.
- Global Business Solutions is the company that runs the ATM.
A group of repairmen visited the ATM on June 11, when they found heaps of shredded Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 rupee notes. Indian Express has reported that the bank officials have confirmed, notes worth Rs 12,38,000 have been destroyed by mice inside the ATM machine.
@RBI @FinMinIndia @PiyushGoyal @narendramodi An ATM didn't work for 21days.For 21days technical staff didn't arrive to repair the damage and 12 lacs currency notes destroyed by mice in these 21days,in Tinsukia,Assam.This is how @TheOfficialSBI serving Assam!! @sarbanandsonwal
— PRANJAL K SARMA (@pranjal773) June 19, 2018
A local journalist, who got to know about the incident from a WhatsApp message, has also confirmed to the IE, “The ATM had stopped working the following day.” He also added that “May 20 to June 11 is a significant period of time for an ATM to be out of service. People are suspicious as to why it took so long for the mechanics to arrive.”
Global Business Solutions, the company that runs the ATM, had allegedly refilled the ATM with Rs 29 lakh on May 19, a day before the ATM stopped working, the Indian Express reported.
Really Size doesn’t matter!! What a rat this is! Rat-bitten bank notes worth Rs 12 lakh 38 thousand. Torn notes and dead rat found inside ATM in Tinsukia Assam. Rat found dead before little one could bite remaining Rs 17 lakh 10 thousand. pic.twitter.com/3Omns7gAZH
— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi 🇮🇳 (@NANDANPRATIM) June 18, 2018
On Monday a local news channel has reported that bank officials have recovered notes worth Rs 17 lakhs from the ATM. However, many are still doubtful about what exactly happened inside the ATM. The SBI has lodged an FIR at the local police station to launch a probe into the incident.
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