Solan, Himachal Pradesh: A shocking case of missing jewelry worth lakhs has emerged from a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch on Mall Road, Solan. A woman, who had held a locker at the branch for over 35 years, reported that her valuable gold and silver jewelry had mysteriously disappeared.
Details of the Complaint
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, lodged a complaint with the Solan police, stating that she had rented a locker in the bank to secure her precious jewelry. Among the items stored in the locker were:
- Gold jewelry: 1 tikka (head accessory), 1 nose ring, 1 headgear, 1 necklace, a pair of earrings, and four gold bangles (gokhru).
- Silver items: A Mata’s silver crown, four rings, and two silver anklets.
According to the complainant, she routinely checked the contents of her locker over the years. The most recent inspection was on June 25, 2024, during which all items were accounted for.
Discovery of Missing Jewelry
On the afternoon of January 4, 2025, the woman visited the bank to retrieve some items from the locker. She informed the bank manager, who accompanied her to the locker, along with the assistant manager. To her shock, it was discovered that the lock on the locker was already open, and all her belongings were missing.
Police Action
Superintendent of Police (SP) Solan, Gaurav Singh, confirmed the incident. He stated that a case has been registered based on the woman’s complaint, and an investigation is underway.
Bank Locker Mystery
The case has raised serious concerns about the security of lockers in banks. The fact that the locker’s lock was found open has added to the mystery. It remains unclear how the jewelry went missing despite the bank’s security measures.
Long-standing Relationship with the Bank
The woman mentioned that she had been a loyal customer of the bank for over three decades and had used the locker facility since the beginning. The trust she placed in the bank’s locker system has now been shattered.
Police Investigation Underway
Police officials are examining all aspects of the case, including:
- Reviewing CCTV footage from the bank premises.
- Investigating whether there was any tampering with the locker.
- Interviewing bank staff and other relevant individuals.
- Bank Locker Rules RBI: Download SBI, PNB, BOB, HDFC, ICICI Bank Locker Guidelines RBI Circular PDF
- Bank Locker: How much compensation Customers get if Bank Locker gets looted or theft?
Conclusion
This incident has left Solan residents concerned about the safety of their valuables in bank lockers. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the missing jewelry.
