KalimNews | Siliguri | July 24, 2025 : In a shocking and audacious robbery that has reignited serious concerns over ATM security in North Bengal, a group of miscreants looted nearly Rs 14.07 lakh from a State Bank of India ATM in Siliguri in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident, marked by precise planning and swift execution, unfolded at Loknath Bazar along the Eastern Bypass Road, sending shockwaves through the city and triggering a high-alert response from law enforcement.
The robbery took place around 3:18 a.m., when a gang of four criminals arrived at the ATM kiosk in a stolen Tata Sumo. Armed with a gas cutter, the robbers broke into the cash machine, causing a brief fire as sparks ignited during the cutting process. After successfully accessing the cash vault, they made off with approximately Rs 14.07 lakh in cash. According to police sources, the entire act took around 15 minutes.
Just moments later, a patrolling team from Ashighar Outpost noticed the suspicious vehicle and attempted to intercept it. However, the miscreants, seemingly well-acquainted with the layout of the area, managed to evade the police chase by fleeing swiftly via the Eastern Bypass.
Meanwhile, a local resident who noticed flames inside the ATM booth immediately alerted the police. Officers from Bhaktinagar Police Station, accompanied by Rakesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), reached the spot without delay and launched a detailed investigation.
Soon after, the abandoned Tata Sumo used in the robbery was traced to Himachal Bihar in Matigara, raising further clues. The vehicle’s owner, Sujit Sur, confirmed that the car had been stolen from outside his home in Ambikanagar. “I usually park my car in an open space near my residence. This morning, a friend informed me that my vehicle was spotted near Matigara. I went there immediately and informed the police, who then recovered it,” Sur told reporters.
Upon examining the vehicle, investigators recovered a gas cutter and a spray bottle, both believed to have been used in the commission of the crime. Police suspect that after abandoning the Tata Sumo, the gang switched to another vehicle to make their getaway.
Further revelations came from Pawan Kumar Gupta, the contractor in charge of ATM maintenance, who reviewed the ATM surveillance system. “One individual entered the ATM booth first, with his face covered, and sprayed paint over the CCTV camera lens. Then the others joined in. The entire robbery lasted around 15 minutes. While some footage was distorted, a few images have been successfully captured,” Gupta noted.
DCP Rakesh Singh confirmed the involvement of four individuals and stated that a formal investigation had been launched based on available CCTV footage and forensic evidence. “Initial findings have confirmed that the Tata Sumo used in the crime was stolen,” Singh said.
Following this incident, police in adjacent districts, including Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar, have been put on high alert. Law enforcement agencies are employing mobile tower data analysis and surveillance footage to track the movements of the suspects. A dedicated task force is working to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.
Significantly, this heist comes close on the heels of another similar ATM robbery in the Champasari area, just a few days ago. The recurrence of such crimes, especially in the absence of security guards at ATM booths, has sparked serious concern among citizens and authorities alike regarding public safety and the pressing need for enhanced security protocols at financial institutions.
As the investigation progresses, citizens are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Authorities have assured that all efforts are being made to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore public confidence in the security of essential banking infrastructure.
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