They denied my leave, forced keys into my hands, threatened police action and turned me into a Joker

A bank employee working in a nationalized bank in India has shared a shocking account of workplace harassment on Reddit. The officer says he faced mental torture, threats, and false charges after applying for leave for his brother’s wedding in February 2025.

According to his post, he had informed his manager, HR, and regional manager well in advance about the leave. He had booked tickets and planned his work before leaving. But on 7 February 2025, just a day before his flight, he was suddenly handed the vault keys without any official handover process.

He refused to take charge, saying that RBI guidelines require proper verification and written handover when custody of keys is transferred. Within hours, he received an official email accusing him of “insubordination.”

The next morning, on 8 February, the employee claims that his regional manager called him at 5 AM and threatened him with police action and suspension if he left. Despite the threats, he went ahead with his travel to attend his brother’s wedding.

After reaching home, he says he emailed senior officials, including the Chairman, and even media houses, fearing a false police case. However, instead of investigating his complaint, the bank served him a notice for “social media policy violation.”

Later, the bank allegedly reopened a closed audit matter from the previous year and asked him to sign a pre-drafted apology letter. He refused. He then filed multiple RTIs (Right to Information requests) seeking justice, but was told to “stop filing RTIs and talk directly.”

In his post, the employee criticizes the system for ignoring SOP violations and punishing whistleblowers. He also highlighted that bank employees across the country face severe pressure, sometimes leading to suicides.

The employee said he survived not because the system supported him, but because he decided to fight back. He ended his post with a message to fellow bankers: “File RTI, not resignation. Speak, even if your voice shakes.”

This case raises serious questions about employee rights, workplace ethics, and the treatment of staff in public sector banks.

Read his post below

I’m writing this with a heavy heart but a clear mind. I work in a nationalized bank in India. I joined thinking it’s a stable job. Good salary, job security, little bit of respect in society. But no one tells you about the silent torture that happens inside the branch.

It started in February 2025. I had applied for leave for my brother’s wedding. Told everyone in advance — my manager, HR, even RM. I booked flight tickets, planned work accordingly. Everything was going fine.

Then came 7th Feb. I went to branch like any normal day, thinking I’d wrap up pending work before I leave. Suddenly, the branch messenger walks up and hands me the vault keys. I was shocked.

Turns out, the accountant had been silently sent for training to another city. And now they were making me the acting custodian — without any official handover, no proper SOP followed. (Ideally the taking over accountant is supposed to verify chest and sign the taking over sheet that everything is okay. That’s RBI guidelines.)

I refused. Politely. Firmly. Because I knew if I took the keys, I couldn’t fly next day. There was no way to return the keys on time.

Within hours, I get an official email: “ACT OF INSUBORDINATION”. Just because I refused to take chest keys that were never officially handed over. My mental state that day — I can’t explain.

I tried raising my voice internally. Wrote emails. Spoke to HR. Even messaged my RM on WhatsApp and explained everything. His reply? “Stay at your station. Handle chest matters with seriousness.”

Next day, 8th Feb — the day of my flight — he called at 5 AM and threatened me with police action and suspension. Just for refusing unofficial key custody.

I still left. I had to go. As an elder brother, my family needed me. I had already tolerated enough.

After I reached home, I wrote emails to everyone — Chairman, DGM, media houses. I was scared they’d frame me in a false police case.

And what did the bank do?

Did they support me? Investigate what happened?

No.

They gave me a “Social Media Policy Violation” notice.

They didn’t care about SOP violations. Didn’t care that the chest couldn’t be opened that day because of their own mismanagement. Instead, they started an investigation against me.

And when they couldn’t trap me there, they reopened a closed audit matter from last year — even sent me a pre-drafted apology letter and asked me to sign and admit guilt. I refused.

I filed multiple RTIs — because truth is my only weapon.

And now, they’re asking me to stop filing RTIs and “talk to us directly.”

What talking?

When I was begging for leave, they ignored me.

When I refused illegal key handling, they threatened me.

When I reached out for help, they labelled me a defamer.

This is not just about me.

Bank employees are dying.

They commit suicide under pressure.

Because no one listens.

No one helps.

I survived. But not because the system is fair. I survived because I fought back — and I’m still fighting.

To all bankers reading this:

File RTI, not resignation.

Speak. Even if your voice shakes.

Don’t become another body under the burden of silence.

This system didn’t just deny my leave. It denied my humanity.

But it also gave birth to something it never saw coming —

They made me A Joker.

And now, I’m not just here to survive. I’m here to make sure no one else dies quietly inside this system ever again.