Jewellery Worth Rs.81 Lakh Missing from SBI Locker, Court orders Police to file case against Bank Officers
Orai, Jalaun: Jewellery valued at ₹81 lakh belonging to advocate Anand Swaroop Srivastava has reportedly disappeared from his locker at the State Bank of India (SBI) City Branch on Rath Road. Following the incident, Srivastava lodged a complaint accusing four individuals, including the branch manager, of theft. When no action was taken, he approached the court, which directed the police to register a case.
Details of the Case
Advocate Srivastava, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in the Kotwali area, stated in his court filing that he had been using the locker at SBI City Branch since 1980. The locker contained ancestral jewellery, including:
- Four necklaces
- 16 gold bangles
- Four chains
- One armlet
- Various other gold ornaments, silver items, and coins
The jewellery was stored in three boxes. Srivastava last checked the locker on August 13, 2024, and confirmed all items were intact. He secured the locker with the bank’s lock and an additional lock of his own.
Discovery of Missing Jewellery
On November 21, 2024, Srivastava was summoned to the bank by employee Balwan Singh. Upon arrival, he discovered that the jewellery was missing. He alleged that branch manager Ankit Tiwari, accountant Pranay Srivastava, and other unnamed colleagues had conspired to steal the jewellery by accessing the locker keys.
Legal Action
When the police failed to register his complaint, Srivastava filed a case in court. Acting on the court’s order, the Kotwali police have now registered a case against branch manager Ankit Tiwari, accountant Pranay Srivastava, and an unidentified bank employee.
Investigation Underway
The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities are examining the roles of the accused and reviewing bank records and security protocols to determine how the theft occurred.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of valuables in bank lockers, and customers are urging stricter measures to ensure security.
