Gurugram Police shut down two ATMs in Sohna for not deploying security guards, as per the guidelines set in November 2019. The police have identified unguarded ATMs across the district and are taking prompt action. The ATMs should have round-the-clock security, CCTV cameras, and working alarms. Banks were asked to ensure security guards by January 1, but many did not comply. The police have issued notices and increased vigilance.
The Gurugram Police on Thursday night pulled down the shutters of two automated teller machines (ATM) of a private bank in Sohna for failing to meet the deadline for deploying security guards, police said.
Police said they pasted notices on the shutters and increased vigil during the night. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)
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Police said they have identified unguarded ATMs across the district and teams have been directed to take prompt action. The norms were prescribed in November last year following ATM frauds where people were duped by some gangs who switched ATM cards on the pretext of offering help.
Deputy commissioner of police (south), Siddhant Jain, said that both the booths remained unattended despite several reminders.
“We have pasted notices on the shutters and increased vigil during the night. Patrolling teams have been asked to check all ATMs repeatedly. The teams have also been directed to look into the attendance of security guards deployed at the ATMs during patrolling,” said DCP Jain. The notice said that the respective banks could contact the station house officer of Sohna police station regarding the matter.
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Police said all ATMs should have round-the-clock security, CCTV cameras and working alarms. Banks were asked to ensure security guards by January 1 but many still did not follow the order.
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Police said all ATMs should have round-the-clock security, CCTV cameras and working alarms. Banks were asked to ensure security guards by January 1 but many still did not follow the order.
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Jain said a letter from the RBI on June 14, 2019, highlighted that Police and law enforcement agencies can take appropriate steps if security lapses are found in ATM security. He said last week during patrolling, police found out that some ATMs did not have security guards despite a government mandate.
“The absence of security guards at these ATMs posed a risk of thefts and robberies. For ATMs where security guards were not present, shutters were closed, locks were applied, and notices were issued,” said the officer.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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