‘Mice might have crawled over it’: Rs 20 bhel puri served on bank statement? Viral post leaves internet disgusted over privacy and hygiene nightmare

Street food videos and viral food posts regularly grab attention online, but this time, a simple serving of bhel puri has sparked a serious discussion across social media. A post shared on X has gone viral after a man claimed that the paper used to serve his Rs 20 bhel puri was actually a printed bank statement carrying personal banking details.The incident quickly became a talking point online, with many users discussing not only data privacy but also the hygiene risks linked to serving food on discarded printed paper. The post has now triggered wider conversations around how confidential documents are thrown away and later reused in everyday settings.The viral post was shared by internet user Sudhanshu Ambhore. He posted a picture showing the paper cone in which the bhel puri was served.According to the post, the paper appeared to be taken from a Union Bank of India account statement. The document reportedly had visible details such as the account holder’s name, account number, and transaction information printed on it.Reacting to the incident, he wrote, “Privacy is seriously a joke in India.” Soon after the image surfaced online, users began reacting strongly in the comments section. Many people said the incident showed how sensitive documents often end up in public spaces without proper disposal.One user wrote, “Privacy is a joke, and so is hygiene - imagine where all those sheets of paper would've been before they became a container for your snack. Maybe bought by a raddi wala and kept in some dusty corner where mice might have crawled over it. Throw it.”Another comment read, “Means they served you on a paper that was disposed of as garbage.”Several users also pointed out that people should destroy confidential papers before discarding them to avoid misuse of personal information.Along with privacy concerns, many social media users also highlighted the hygiene aspect of the incident. Some questioned the use of old printed paper for directly serving food. One user commented, “More dangerous is you eating from garbage paper with that ink.”Another wrote, “Just be mindful that the printing ink is carcinogenic and can cause cancer.”Some users also shared similar experiences online. One person claimed they had earlier seen bhel being served using pages from someone’s medical records.As the post continued to circulate online, several people said the incident highlighted the need for better awareness around document disposal and food hygiene practices.One user commented, “We have to be extra cautious and tear such documents before throwing them as trash.”The viral post has now become part of a larger online discussion around privacy awareness, careless disposal habits, and the everyday use of discarded paper in food packaging.Disclaimer: This report is based on social media posts and user-generated claims circulating online. The Times of India has not independently verified the authenticity of the incident or the claims made in the viral post.Thumb image: X