BENGALURU, 26 JAN

State’s ATM security infrastructure is under scrutiny after back-to-back robberies in Bidar and Mangaluru exposed alarming lapses on 16 and 17 January.

According to the Union Finance Ministry, Karnataka has the highest number of unsafe ATMs in South India. From 2017 to 2018, the State reported 14 ATM robberies, resulting in losses of Rs 60 lakh. The following year, the number surged to 16, with criminals stealing Rs 3.74 crore.

However, experts warn that these figures likely understate the full scale of the problem.

A City cop told Salar News, "Banks often underreport ATM robberies to avoid reputational damage. Many incidents go unregistered or are categorised differently."

The officer added that poorly lit, isolated ATM locations and inadequate surveillance make it easier for thieves.

On 16 January, armed assailants killed a security guard and stole Rs 93 lakh from a State Bank of India ATM in Bidar. A day later, a gang looted Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank in Mangaluru, making off with Rs 4 crore. Probe suggests that interstate criminal gangs are involved.

Missed opportunities in security upgrades

The failures in ATM security are not new. In 2013, a high-profile ATM attack in Bengaluru, where a 44-year-old woman was assaulted, sparked public outrage. The state proposed hiring retired defence personnel to guard ATMs in vulnerable areas. However, the initiative faltered due to financial and logistical challenges.

Bank executives have cited the prohibitive expense of deploying armed guards at every ATM. "With thousands of machines across urban and rural areas, the financial burden was too high," said Ravi Kumar, a senior bank manager in Bengaluru. Suresh Chandra, a branch manager in Mangaluru, said, "The sheer scale of the plan was overwhelming. It wasn’t just about hiring guards—it was about training them and ensuring uniform security across all areas."

Shivraj, an investigating officer in the Bidar ATM robbery, said, "CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and sufficient security personnel are essential. During cash replenishments, at least one armed guard should be present at sensitive areas. However, most ATMs fail to follow these basic protocols," he said.

Coordination failures

Another issue is the lack of coordination between banks and law enforcement agencies. While police are tasked with securing VIP locations, they are often stretched too thin to protect ATMs, especially during nighttime cash replenishments. "There was no clear framework for integrating security personnel into the ATM security setup," said Prakash Nair, a branch manager in Bidar. "Without proper coordination, the security measures were doomed to fail.

Robbers get smarter, security fails to keep up

Recent ATM robberies have shown an increase in criminal sophistication. In July 2024, a gang used gas cutters to steal Rs 16 lakh from an ATM on Sarjapur Road in Bengaluru. In Doddaballapur, thieves looted Rs 15.1 lakh after disabling CCTV cameras. Both robberies occurred in minutes, with no security guards present at the ATMs. The criminals managed to escape before patrolling teams arrived.

Despite technological advancements like CCTV cameras and alarm systems, ATM security remains inadequate. "The reaction time is slow because the central office monitoring the feeds is far," said a banker in Bengaluru.

Guard works long hours

Security guards at ATMs also face long hours and harsh conditions. Deepak Kumar, a guard at Vijayanagar, said, "I work twelve-hour shifts, but I’m only allowed five minutes for a bathroom break. I borrowed a chair from a nearby shop to sit."