A shocking incident has come to light in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where a woman claims that gold jewellery and other valuables worth approximately ₹50 lakh have gone missing from her bank locker at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch. The discovery was made after she accessed the locker for the first time in 23 years.
Decades-Long Trust Shattered
Rashmi Arora, a resident of Kaushalpuri, Kanpur, had opened locker number 23 in 2003 at what was then the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) branch in Swaroop Nagar. Following her husband's death, Arora moved to Lucknow, which limited her ability to visit the bank regularly. Despite her absence, locker charges continued to be deducted from her account, leading her to believe her valuables were secure and the locker remained active.
In 2017, State Bank of Travancore merged with SBI. When Arora recently sought to access her locker, she initially encountered difficulties as bank staff claimed records were unavailable due to the merger. However, after persistent efforts, the details were eventually traced, and she was granted access.
The Discovery and Police Action
On July 27, 2026, in the presence of bank officials, Rashmi Arora opened locker number 23 only to find it completely empty. The missing items, primarily gold jewellery and other valuables, are estimated to be worth around ₹50 lakh. Arora immediately approached the authorities, accusing the bank management and staff of conspiring to misappropriate her valuables.
Acting on the Deputy Police Commissioner's orders, Swaroop Nagar police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the branch manager and other concerned employees. The police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Investigation Underway
During the preliminary stages of the probe, investigators reportedly found entries suggesting that the locker had been accessed previously. The police are now meticulously examining access registers, reviewing CCTV footage from the bank, and scrutinizing other relevant documents to ascertain when the locker was opened and how the valuables disappeared. They aim to establish who accessed the locker and whether there were any lapses in record-keeping or security protocols.
SBI has reportedly sought details of the incident and is looking into the allegations, while the police investigation remains active and ongoing to uncover the full extent of the alleged misappropriation.