Bagerhat, Bangladesh – A major security breach at Pubali Bank PLC’s Bagerhat branch has left a local businessman and the wider community in shock after more than 200 vori of gold jewellery reportedly vanished from a personal locker. The incident, which came to light on Thursday, 5 March, has prompted a comprehensive police investigation into what is being treated as an unprecedented loss from a secured bank vault.
Incident Overview
According to reports, Suman Kumar Das, a veteran betel nut (supari) trader from the Dashani area of Bagerhat town, visited his locker at the Khan Jahan Ali Road branch to retrieve jewellery for a family event. Upon opening the locker, he discovered that all items – deposited by himself along with contributions from his mother, maternal aunt, brother, wife, and other relatives – were missing.
Das recounted:
“I had deposited more than 200 vori of gold jewellery in the bank locker on 15 October last year. When I came to open it on Wednesday for a family occasion, it was completely empty. I immediately informed the police, and the investigation is ongoing.”
The missing jewellery reportedly included necklaces, bangles, rings, and other family heirlooms, representing decades of accumulated wealth and significant sentimental value.
Bank and Customer Reactions
The incident has caused concern among other customers. Mahfuzur Rahman, a regular locker holder at the branch, said:
“Hearing that a customer’s locker had been emptied left me anxious. I checked my own locker and thankfully everything was intact, but this raises serious questions about the safety of valuables in bank vaults.”
Md. Monirul Amin, Assistant General Manager at the Bagerhat branch, confirmed:
“A customer has reported that items stored in his locker are missing. We promptly informed the police and are fully cooperating with the investigation. The exact circumstances will only be clear after the inquiry concludes.”
Police Investigation
Hasan Chowdhury, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bagerhat, visited the branch immediately after the incident and ordered a detailed probe. Additional Superintendent of Police Shamim Hossain, of the Sadar Circle, stated:
“We have been informed about the disappearance of gold from a bank locker. The vault has been inspected, and we are reviewing CCTV footage, access logs, and questioning staff and customers to establish how such a large quantity of gold could vanish from a secure locker. The investigation is ongoing.”
Authorities are yet to confirm whether the loss was due to theft, misplacement, or an internal security lapse.
Locker Security Concerns
The incident has heightened anxiety regarding the security of lockers in Bagerhat, with customers and local business owners demanding stricter measures for high-value assets. Bank officials have pledged to review and strengthen existing security protocols, including enhanced surveillance, access monitoring, and staff accountability, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Summary of Incident
| Date | Branch | Customer Name | Locker Contents | Reported Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2025 | Pubali Bank, Bagerhat | Suman Kumar Das | >200 vori gold jewellery | Deposited in locker |
| 5 March 2026 | Pubali Bank, Bagerhat | Suman Kumar Das | >200 vori gold jewellery | Found missing from locker |
Broader Implications
The disappearance of such a substantial quantity of gold has caused distress not only to the family but also across the local community, raising questions about public trust in banking security standards. Residents and business owners are urging swift action to safeguard customer assets, prevent recurrence, and ensure transparency in the investigation.
As authorities continue their probe, attention is focused on determining the cause of the loss and recovering the missing items. The incident underscores the critical need for robust security protocols in banking institutions, particularly regarding personal lockers containing high-value possessions, and has triggered renewed calls for stronger regulatory oversight.
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