Indian-Origin Data Scientist Fired for Allegedly Exploiting Charity Food Banks After Social Media Outrage

Mehul Prajapati, an Indian-origin data scientist employed at Canada’s TD Bank, was fired from his role after a video surfaced where he appears to teach his followers about how he obtained ”free food” from food banks designated for students in Canada.

Mehul uploaded a video on Instagram which went viral and led to many condemning him for taking free food meant for students despite getting a hefty salary.

The video also stirred a heated debate on social media site X after a user who goes by the username Pagliacci The Hated (@Slatzism) shared it on her account.

“This guy has a job as a bank data scientist for @TD_Canada, a position that averages $98,000 per year, and proudly uploaded this video showing how much “free food” he gets from charity food banks,” the user wrote.

In the video, Prajapati tells his viewers he will show them tricks to save “hundreds of bucks” monthly on groceries by following his method. He was seen picking fruits and vegetables to pasta and canned goods, all of which were sourced from charity food banks.

Users of X were outraged with his actions and highlighted that food banks are intended to help those who were disadvantaged and not for those who are financially stable.

Later, the user revealed that Prajapati had been terminated from his role at TD Bank. She shared the screenshot of an email which shows bank authorities telling her that they have taken note of the incident and dismissed the person concerned and that he no longer works at TD Bank.

“Update: the food bank bandit was fired,” the user said in a tweet. The email from the bank said the “individual named in the video no longer works at TD”.