A 54-year-old homemaker from Bengaluru, Bindu C.D., has accused officials of the State Bank of India’s Dollars Colony branch of negligence after discovering that 145 grams of gold and diamond jewellery had disappeared from her locker. With no clarity from the bank despite repeated follow-ups, she filed a formal police complaint, as reported by The Hindu.
Bindu, who has held a savings account and locker at the branch since December 2022, last inspected her locker in November 2024 and confirmed everything was in place. However, during a subsequent visit on March 28, 2025, she was shocked to find her ornaments missing.
Disturbed by the loss, she immediately alerted bank staff. But instead of offering help, they reportedly dismissed her concerns, insisting that unauthorized access was impossible. Adding to her frustration, she claims they repeatedly advised her to “check at home,” evading all responsibility.
Despite contacting customer service and even escalating the matter to SBI’s chief vigilance officer, Bindu received no satisfactory response. Left with no choice, she approached the Sadashivanagar police, who have now registered a case under Section 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to theft from secure places like dwellings or lockers.
The investigation has begun, with police set to review CCTV recordings and access logs to determine if a breach occurred and who may be involved.
Clarification on Alleged Locker Theft – Statement by State Bank of India
This is with reference to the some of the recent news report regarding a complaint filed by Smt. Bindu C. D, alleging the theft of valuables from her locker maintained at the State Bank of India, Dollar Colony Branch, New BEL Road, Bengaluru.
As per the report, the complainant alleged that approximately 145 grams of gold ornaments, diamond jewellery, and other valuables stored in her locker had allegedly gone missing. Pursuant to the complainant, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Sadashivanagar Police Station, and a formal investigation was initiated by the police.
In the course of the investigation, the police conducted a Mahazar (panchnama) at the bank premises, in the presence of the complainant (Smt. Bindu C. D.), independent witnesses, and responsible bank officials. During this process, the complainant personally opened and accessed her locker. It was conclusively found, in the presence of all independent witnesses, that all items previously reportedly as missing were present and intact inside the locker. Certain articles had been inadvertently overlooked by the complainant, as they were stored deep within the locker.
The entire process was duly videographed by the investigating authorities to ensure transparency, credibility, and evidentiary accuracy. Following this, the locker contents were taken into police custody as part of the standard procedural process.
The investigation confirmed that there was no unauthorized access, tampering, or breach of the locker. Accordingly, the allegations of theft were found to be unsubstantiated.
State Bank of India affirms that all locker access protocols, surveillance systems, and security procedures at the Dollar Colony Branch were fully operational and uncompromised at all times. The Bank has extended full cooperation to law enforcement authorities throughout the investigation and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of operational integrity, customer security, and institutional accountability.