In a daring overnight crime, unidentified thieves dismantled and stole an entire HDFC Bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM) from Odisha’s Jajpur district, triggering concerns over banking security in semi-rural areas.
The incident took place near Mainda Chhak under the Binjharpur police station limits late on January 1, when movement in the area was minimal due to New Year holidays.
According to preliminary information, the miscreants broke into the standalone ATM kiosk, dismantled the machine, and transported it using a trolley auto-rickshaw, which was also reportedly stolen to facilitate their escape. The theft was discovered early on January 2 after local residents noticed the damaged kiosk and alerted the police.
The exact amount of cash inside the ATM at the time of the theft is yet to be confirmed. Officials said they are verifying replenishment records. Typically, ATMs in semi-rural locations may contain ₹5–10 lakh, depending on transaction volume.
Visuals from the scene showed shattered glass, scattered debris, and an empty enclosure where the ATM once stood. A crowd gathered at the site as police cordoned off the area and began preliminary investigations.
Police Investigation Underway
Sources at the Binjharpur police station said forensic teams are examining the site for fingerprints, tool marks, and CCTV footage from nearby establishments. Investigators suspect the involvement of an organised gang, given the logistical effort required to dismantle and move a heavy ATM unit.
No arrests have been made so far, and officials have not issued a formal statement at the time of filing this report.
Pattern of ATM Thefts Raises Concern
This is not the first such incident reported from Odisha. In 2019, an entire HDFC Bank ATM was stolen near Chandikhol, also in Jajpur district. Similar cases have been reported from Balasore and other parts of the state in recent years, highlighting vulnerabilities in off-site and poorly guarded ATM kiosks.
Experts point to factors such as lack of security guards, absence of alarm systems, limited surveillance coverage, and delayed response during holidays as contributing risks, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Residents Face Inconvenience
The theft has caused inconvenience to local residents, many of whom rely on the ATM for daily cash withdrawals, government subsidies, and banking services. The nearest alternative ATM is several kilometres away.
“We depend on this ATM for our regular needs. Now we will have to travel far, which is difficult,” said a local resident.
HDFC Bank has not yet issued an official response but is expected to cooperate with the investigation. Police have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward as efforts continue to trace the culprits.
