Man Suffers Electric Shock While Withdrawing Cash from ATM in Tamil Nadu, Hospitalised

Kancheepuram, August 17, 2025 – A routine cash withdrawal from ATM turned into a shocking incident in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram district when a man received an electric shock while using an HDFC Bank ATM. The man, identified as Venkatesan (35), sustained injuries to his hand and was rushed to the Kancheepuram Government Hospital.

The Incident

According to reports, Venkatesan, a resident of Kamman Street, had gone to withdraw money from an HDFC Bank ATM near the Head Post Office on Railway Station Road. His eight-year-old son was with him at the time.

As he inserted his ATM card and attempted to enter his PIN, he felt an unusual tingling sensation in his right hand. Thinking it was a minor issue, he tried again, but this time, the shock was much stronger, causing him severe pain in his hand. Alarmed and frightened, he quickly left the booth with his son and rushed to the government hospital for treatment. Doctors confirmed that he had sustained an injury due to an electric shock, though his condition is currently stable.

Police Investigation and ATM Testing

Soon after the incident, officials from the Vishnu Kanchi Police Station arrived at the site to investigate. Technical testing of the ATM machine revealed that the keypad had an electrical leakage. Though the voltage was not strong enough to be fatal, it was powerful enough to cause significant pain and potential harm.

Police also revealed that some people had experienced minor shocks earlier while using the same machine, but no one had taken the matter seriously until now. This incident has prompted authorities to act quickly to prevent further risks.

Public Reaction

The news of the electric shock spread quickly, causing panic among local residents. Many people began avoiding the ATM altogether. Some who still needed to withdraw money were seen using pens or other objects to press the keypad, instead of touching it directly with their fingers.

Residents demanded that banks carry out regular maintenance and strict safety inspections of all ATMs to ensure such accidents do not occur again. “We trust these machines with our money, but now we fear for our safety too,” said one local shopkeeper who often used the same ATM.

Bank’s Responsibility

The local branch of HDFC Bank was immediately informed by the police. The bank has been instructed to repair the faulty ATM and conduct thorough safety checks on all machines in the area. Authorities emphasized that customer safety should be a top priority for banks, especially since ATMs are an essential part of daily life for millions of people.

While no official statement has yet been released by HDFC Bank, it is expected that the faulty machine will remain closed until a complete inspection and repair are carried out.

Why ATM Safety Matters

This incident serves as a reminder that even small technical faults can pose major risks to public safety. ATMs are designed to be user-friendly and secure, but poor maintenance or hidden electrical issues can create dangerous situations.

Experts say that banks should not only focus on cybersecurity and fraud prevention but also on the physical safety of their machines. Electrical audits, proper earthing, and regular testing of equipment should be mandatory.

Conclusion

Thankfully, Venkatesan’s injuries were not life-threatening, but the incident has raised serious questions about ATM safety and bank accountability. For customers, the experience was a frightening reminder that what should have been a simple cash withdrawal could have turned into a tragedy.

Authorities have assured the public that safety inspections will be intensified in the coming weeks. For now, the faulty ATM remains shut, and locals hope that banks will treat this as a wake-up call to ensure such incidents never repeat.

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