Gold jewellery worth around ₹25 lakh has allegedly gone missing from a locker at a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Old Faridabad. The locker holder claimed that when the locker was broken open on July 28 after repeated technical problems, the jewellery kept inside was missing. She has filed a complaint with the Old Faridabad police, and an investigation, including forensic examination, is underway.
Gold jewellery worth around Rs 25 lakh has allegedly gone missing from a locker at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Old Faridabad. The locker holder has filed a complaint with the Old Faridabad police, and an investigation is underway.
Locker Was Taken in 2013
According to Sudesh Kapoor, a resident of Sector 28, she took a locker at the PNB Old Faridabad branch in 2013. She kept gold jewellery belonging to herself and other family members in the locker for safety. She used to take out the jewellery whenever it was required for weddings or other family functions.
Sudesh Kapoor said that she had opened the locker around 40 times in the past. She last accessed the locker on May 18, 2024.
Later, on March 7, she visited the bank along with her son, Ashish, to open the locker. However, her key did not work. According to her, the bank’s master key was working, but the locker could not be opened using her key.
Bank Cited Technical Problem
Bank officials reportedly told her that there was a technical problem with the locker and asked her to visit again later. Another attempt was made on July 21, but the locker still could not be opened.
Following the bank’s advice, Sudesh Kapoor agreed to have the locker broken open.
Gold Jewellery Allegedly Found Missing
Sudesh Kapoor alleged that the locker was broken open on July 28, but all the gold jewellery kept inside was missing. She immediately asked bank officials for an explanation but claimed that she did not receive any clear answer.
She later submitted a written complaint to the Old Faridabad police station and demanded action in the matter.
Police Begin Investigation
Old Faridabad Station House Officer (SHO) Vishnu Mitra confirmed that the police have received the complaint and are investigating the case. The forensic examination will be done to find out how the jewellery went missing.
How much compensation will Bank give?
If the loss of locker contents occurs because of theft, burglary, robbery, dacoity, fire, building collapse, or fraud by bank employees, and the incident is attributable to the bank’s shortcomings or negligence, the bank is liable. Under RBI rules, the bank’s prescribed liability in such cases is 100 times the prevailing annual rent of the locker. For example, if the annual locker rent is ₹3,000, the customer would get ₹3 lakh (₹3,000 × 100).
