The two incidents raise questions about background checks carried out by food delivery apps
A CCTV grab of the Swiggy delivery boy entering the society premises
In two separate incidents, delivery agents working with food delivery applications have been caught stealing cell phones of security guards while they dozed off during night shifts. While both the incidents have been caught on camera, questions are being raised on whether Swiggy and Zomato conduct proper background checks of the staff they hire and citizens let into their housing societies.
The incidents occurred at the Golden Rock society in Kalina and the Hill View society in Sector-8 at Charkop in Kandivali West. In both cases, the delivery boys parked their vehicles outside the society.
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A CCTV grab showing the Zomato delivery boy entering the guards cabin
The first incident took place on October 12 at 10.30 pm at the Golden Rock society. The security guard, Ramesh Kumar Mandal, who has been working there for the past three years, had his mobile phone stolen by an unidentified Swiggy delivery boy.
According to Mandal, the delivery boy arrived on his bicycle and parked it outside the society before stealing the mobile phone from the security guard’s cabin. “I had saved up for the past six months and bought a new mobile phone worth Rs 14,000 on October 5. When I realised it was missing, I searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. I informed the society members, including the chairman and secretary, and we decided to review the CCTV footage,” Mandal told mid-day.
Ramesh Kumar Mandal, victim
The CCTV footage revealed that a delivery boy wearing a Swiggy T-shirt entered the society and stole the guard’s mobile phone from the cabin. I immediately contacted my security agency and they informed Swiggy officials about the incident. Swiggy assured my boss that they would resolve the matter within 24 hours, but nothing has happened so far. I have lost my savings of six months,” Mandal said.
In a similar incident at Hill View society in Charkop, Sector-8, Kandivali West, a Zomato delivery boy stole a mobile phone from a security guard on September 22. The incident was captured on the building’s CCTV cameras. Speaking about the incident, society member Pravin Rathod said, “A Zomato delivery boy came to our area to deliver food. It was around 3 am and the security guard was asleep. The delivery boy took advantage of this and stole his mobile phone. We, as society members, have informed the security agency to provide him with a new mobile phone, as he currently doesn’t have one.” He added that the society members are also considering providing him with a phone at their expense.
Meanwhile, security guard Santosh Pathik, said, “I kept mobile phone to charge and went for a round in society premises. When I returned it was missing. I purchased it for Rs 15,000 and lost it. I am helpless now. The company is responsible for it and should either have it returned or compensate me.”
Despite two days of follow-up regarding the criminal activities of their staff stealing mobile phones from building security guards, Zomato and Swiggy have not bothered to provide a response to mid-day.
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