Rats Raid ATM in Assam: ₹12 Lakh Chewed in Bizarre Banknote Heist!

Imagine walking up to an ATM to withdraw cash… only to find out it’s been out of service for weeks. What happened inside? A mechanical fault? No. Just a bunch of hungry, ambitious rats living their best lives — in luxury.

This bizarre incident comes from Tinsukia, Assam, where rampant rodents chewed through more than ₹12 lakh (approx. $17,000) inside a bank’s ATM. And yes, they even made themselves a cosy nest!

🏦 The Shocking Discovery

When technicians arrived to repair the malfunctioning ATM, they expected a technical glitch. But what they found was truly unbelievable: shredded banknotes everywhere… and in the middle of it all, a dead rat.

According to the Indian Express, the ATM had been out of service for several weeks, but no one suspected that rodents were to blame.

💸 How Much Money Did the Rats Destroy?

The official figure is shocking:

🐀 ₹12.38 lakh in cash (Approx. $17,000) was chewed and destroyed.

The ATM was filled with currency, but these determined rats managed to damage a major portion of it. About ₹17 lakh had been stored, and only ₹5 lakh remained untouched.

🐁 Social Media Reacts: "Surgical Strike by Mice"

Naturally, the incident created a stir on social media. Many found humor in the situation, while others raised serious questions about banking security and economic inequality in India.

Here are some of the best reactions:

"Yes! The rat did a fine job of making a very expensive nest worth 12 lakhs." – @Karma_Paljor

“In a country where farmers are committing suicide due to loan burden & lack of monetary help, mice having #AccheDin chomped on cash…” – @INCAssam

“Surgical strike by mice 🐁 on ATM machine.” – @mogembokhushua

📹 Viral Footage and Photos

Images shared by Assam Congress showed the gutted ATM machine with shredded notes piled up like confetti. One video even showed a rat being removed from the wreckage, giving rise to the theory that the poor rodent may have been trapped inside and died without food.

Here’s a summary of what was found:

• Torn ₹500 and ₹2000 notes

• A completely dysfunctional ATM unit

• Evidence of nesting inside cash trays

• A dead rat, possibly starved

🧠 How Did Rats Get Inside the ATM?

This is the big question. The ATM was securely installed, but rats are experts at squeezing through tiny gaps. Experts believe the rats entered through wiring holes or power cable gaps in the ATM back panel.

Banks generally don’t expect a rodent attack, and while ATMs have locks and CCTV, most aren't built to be rat-proof.

🧐 Bigger Questions Raised

While many joked about the incident, others used it to highlight deeper issues:

• Why was the machine left unattended for so long?

• Where is the monitoring and security?

• What about the cost of replacing the cash?

• If rats can get in, what about more serious threats?

This has raised eyebrows about ATM maintenance, bank vigilance, and the rural banking system in India.

🐭 Not the First “Rodent Heist”

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time animals have caused chaos at banks:

• In 2016, squirrels chewed through wires causing a fire in a bank’s back office.

• In 2020, raccoons entered a California bank and triggered alarms!

But ₹12 lakh worth of shredded notes? That might be a record.

😂 Ratatouille Meets Rupee: The Memes and Jokes Keep Coming

Online, people have turned this into a viral meme moment. Some even dubbed it:

“The most expensive rat hole in India.”
“When rats have better access to cash than some citizens.”
“Economic prosperity? Even rats are getting their share!”

It’s both funny and a bit eye-opening.

🧹 Final Cleanup and Action Taken

The State Bank of India (SBI) initiated an investigation and filed a report. The damaged notes were not recoverable, and the incident was classified as an “unfortunate incident.”

The ATM unit was replaced, and measures are being taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

📢 Conclusion: What Can We Learn from the ATM Rat Story?

While this "rat attack" may sound hilarious, it underlines some serious issues:

• Importance of routine ATM inspections

• Need for animal-proof installations

• Public accountability in banking operations

Still, you have to hand it to the rat — he went out living large… literally sleeping on stacks of ₹2000 notes!

✍️ What’s Your Reaction?

Would you laugh, cry, or call pest control? 😅
Tell us in the comments below or share this story with your friends — because the truth really is stranger than fiction!

📌 Read more quirky real-life stories at 👉 Pratap Solution