Security worry after ATM guard’s b’day celebration at kiosk
Times of India | 14 March 2025
Kolkata: A video of a birthday celebration inside the ATM kiosk of a nationalised bank in Sodepur that went viral sparked security concerns. This has even led to police launching an investigation into the incident.
The footage shows a gathering inside the ATM enclosure with people reportedly celebrating the birthday of the on-duty security guard. TOI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. However, a local p[arty functionary, who organised the celebration, acknowledged doing so.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening when Asish Chakraborty, a member of the Khardah Patulia Gram Panchayat, organised a birthday celebration for the on-duty security guard of the ATM kiosk near HB Town More, off Sodepur-Barasat Road. Chakraborty and his associates had placed the birthday cake on a cabinet inside. The incident sparked criticism from local residents, who said it was a violation of the restrictions in such a banking zone.
Chakraborty said there was nothing inappropriate about the celebration. "We wished to honour the security guard. We did not create any disturbance or touch themachine," he explained. But others were not convinced. "TThe bank authorities and administration must take stricter measures to prevent such instances, else banking spaces will lose their sanctity," said Krishnendu Ghosh, a cable operator and a resident of HB Town. Cops said they were investigating the matter. State minister and local MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said, "The security guard didn't get leave, so his friends went to visit him. However, a birthday cannot be celebrated in an ATM kiosk. They have also realized their mistake."
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