An what can be termed ‘shocking’, the outdoor unit of a split AC of HDFC Bank was stolen, right under the nose of the security guard.
The theft happened on the evening of Sep 7, when the bank was closed for Janmashtami. It was discovered only on Sep 8 when the morning security guard came in at 7 am and noticed the unit missing. (There has been no guard at night from 11 pm to 7 am for the past two years.)
On checking the CCTV footage, it has come to light that an e-rickshaw came and parked outside the bank. Two men got down and sat on the stairs, which are next to the AC unit. They would raise their arms and start unscrewing the nuts and bolts of the AC unit. The security guard, who was a short distance away, was focused on the ATM and busy on his phone. Whenever the guard looked in their direction, the two men would put their arms down and pretend to clean the e-rickshaw. Finally, after over an hour, when the night fell, they put the unit in the e-rickshaw, when the guard’s view was obstructed by a black car that pulled up next to the rickshaw. CCTV footage shows the e-rick leaving the bank at around 8:15 PM.
It has been learned that it was the security guard’s first day at this location, and he did not know that the bank extended up to the steps. The rumour is that the guard has been moved to a new location, and the bank has asked the security firm to reimburse the loss.
On Sep 8, the bank informed the RWCS, and the police were involved, who were given the CCTV footage. Some people who were outside the bank (presumably police staff in plain clothes) were overheard commenting on how the RWCS guards could allow the e-rickshaw to exit the sector without a gate pass or a note.
When a RWCS member was asked if any of their CCTV cameras showed the e-rickshaw, he said that they were all busy with upcoming election work, and since the bank did not offer any support to RWCS, they should not expect any from them either.
One hopes that the thieves are caught soon and that the bank puts a guard on duty at night too. Residents of the sector should learn from this incident and put a cage around their outdoor units if they are easily accessible from the road.
