'All items intact': SBI issues clarification after woman claims valuables missing from bank locker

Bengaluru: The State Bank of India (SBI) issued a clarification after a woman filed a complaint, alleging that her gold and diamond valuables were missing from her locker.

In a statement issued after DH reported the incident on Saturday, the SBI said that 145 grams of gold ornaments and diamond valuables, which the woman claimed were missing, were "present and intact inside the locker".

"In the course of the investigation, the police conducted a mahazar (panchnama) at the bank premises in the presence of the complainant, Bindu CD, independent witnesses, and responsible bank officials. During the said proceedings, the complainant personally accessed her locker. It was conclusively established, in her presence as well as that of the independent witnesses, that all articles reportedly missing were, in fact, present and intact inside the locker," the bank said in the statement.

"It is pertinent to note that the complainant had inadvertently overlooked certain items stored deep within the locker. The entire process was duly videographed by the investigating authorities to ensure transparency, credibility, and evidentiary value," it added.

Based on the 54-year-old homemaker’s complaint, the Sadashivanagar police registered an FIR on May 30, naming Bharateesh, Branch Manager of SBI, Dollars Colony; Filjit John, Deputy Branch Manager; and other employees.

The police invoked BNS Section 305A (theft in a dwelling house, or means of transportation or place of worship, etc).

"Subsequent to this finding, the police authorities took custody of the locker contents for further procedural formalities. The investigation revealed no signs of any unauthorised access, tampering, or criminal trespass into the said locker. Consequently, the allegation of theft was found to be baseless and devoid of factual substance," the bank said.