200 Vori Gold Missing from Pubali Bank Locker

Bagerhat, Bangladesh – A serious security breach at Pubali Bank PLC’s Bagerhat branch has left a local businessman in shock after he discovered that more than 200 vori of gold jewellery stored in his locker had gone missing. The incident occurred on Thursday, 5 March, prompting a police investigation into the unprecedented loss.

Incident Overview

According to reports, Suman Kumar Das, a seasoned betel nut (supari) trader residing in Dashani area of Bagerhat town, visited his locker at the Pubali Bank branch on Khan Jahan Ali Road to retrieve gold jewellery for a family event. He discovered that the contents of his locker, which had been deposited along with contributions from his mother, maternal aunt, brother, wife, and several other relatives, were entirely missing.

Suman 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 the locker on Wednesday for a family occasion, I found it empty. I immediately informed the police, and the investigation is now underway.”

The missing items reportedly include necklaces, bangles, rings, and other family heirlooms, representing years of personal and familial investment.

Bank and Customer Reactions

The news sparked concern among other customers at the branch. Mahfuzur Rahman, a regular locker holder at Pubali Bank, stated:
“Upon hearing that a customer’s locker had been emptied, I checked my own locker. Thankfully, my items were intact, but this incident has raised serious security concerns for all of us.”

An official from the bank, Md. Monirul Amin, Assistant General Manager, confirmed:
“One customer has reported that items stored in his locker are now missing. We promptly informed the police and are fully cooperating with the investigation. The facts will only be clear after the investigation concludes.”

Police Investigation

Hasan Chowdhury, Superintendent of Police (SP) for Bagerhat, visited the branch immediately after the incident and ordered a detailed probe. Additional Superintendent of Police Shamim Hossain from the Sadar Circle confirmed:
“We have been informed that the gold belonging to Suman Kumar Das is missing from a bank locker. We have examined the vault and initiated a thorough investigation to determine how such a large quantity of gold could disappear from a secured locker.”

Authorities are reviewing security camera footage, examining access logs, and questioning bank staff and other customers to establish how the theft occurred. The investigation is ongoing, and police have pledged to identify those responsible.

Locker Security Concerns

The incident has sparked broader concerns regarding locker security in Bagerhat, with customers questioning the safety of storing high-value items in bank vaults. Bank officials have assured clients that security protocols will be reviewed and strengthened where necessary.

Summary of Incident

Implications

The loss of such a substantial quantity of gold has caused distress not only for the family but also among the wider community, raising questions about bank security standards. Residents and business owners are calling for immediate action to safeguard valuables and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authorities continue to investigate the disappearance of the gold, with bank management cooperating fully. As the probe continues, the public awaits clarity on whether the missing items were stolen, misplaced, or involved in an internal breach of security protocols.