
Bengaluru: A 32-year-old bank manager from Bengaluru was left shocked after discovering that her gold ornaments, kept in a bank locker, were stolen. The victim, had rented the locker at the same branch where she worked as a manager in Basaveshwaranagar. Police have registered a case against bank employees, describing the incident as a classic case of “fence eating the crop.”
Missing Gold Ornaments Discovered After Locker Break-In
The manager, a resident of West Bengaluru, had stored gold ornaments, her cheque book, and other documents in the locker. According to her complaint filed with the Basaveshwaranagar police:
- She last checked her locker in May 2024 and found everything intact.
- In October, she noticed that her locker key was missing. Despite searching the bank premises and reporting the missing key to the in-charge, it could not be located.
- On December 30, with the bank’s permission, she broke open the locker in the presence of staff. To her shock, only documents were inside, and the gold ornaments, weighing approximately 250 grams and valued at ₹20 lakh, were missing.
Theft Points to Insider Involvement
She explained that lockers require both a customer key and a master key to open. Access to the lockers is restricted, with the master key and locker grill door key stored in the bank’s cash box. She usually carried her locker key in her bag and suspects someone stole it with the intention of committing the theft.
Delay in Filing Complaint
The victim delayed filing a police complaint due to an internal bank inquiry, which yielded no results. Additionally, CCTV footage from the branch was unavailable, making the investigation more challenging.
Case Registered Against Bank Employees
Police have registered a case under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (theft by a clerk or servant of property in possession of a master). A senior police officer confirmed that they would question bank employees and take necessary action.
“If the complaint had been filed immediately after the key went missing, it would have been easier to identify the suspect,” the officer said.
The case highlights serious concerns about the security of bank lockers and the potential involvement of insiders in such thefts. Investigations are ongoing.