Patna: A five-foot-long cobra caused panic at a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM in Patna after it was discovered inside the booth by a security guard.
The incident took place on Saturday afternoon in the Khajekala police station area of Patna City. The guard on duty spotted the snake around 2.30pm and immediately shut the ATM gate to stop people from entering. He then alerted the branch manager and contacted a snake catcher.
The reptile was removed safely after nearly an hour of effort, during which cash withdrawals at the ATM were suspended. Locals waiting to withdraw money said they were forced to use nearby machines instead.
The SBI branch manager confirmed the incident, saying no harm had been caused. He attributed the intrusion to gaps near the west gate of the premises and the rainy season, and urged customers to remain cautious.
The guard said he had been startled on spotting the cobra. “I was on duty inside the ATM when I suddenly saw the snake. I closed the gate immediately and informed the manager,” he said.
