Bagerhat, Bangladesh – A significant security breach at Pubali Bank PLC’s Bagerhat branch has left a local businessman and the wider community shocked, after over 200 vori of gold jewellery reportedly disappeared from a personal locker. The incident, which came to light on Thursday, 5 March, has prompted a full police investigation into what is being treated as an unprecedented loss from a secured bank vault.
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Incident Details
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 gold for a family event. Upon opening the locker, he found that all contents – deposited by himself along with contributions from his mother, maternal aunt, brother, wife, and other relatives – were missing.
Das said:
“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 items reportedly include 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 at the branch. Mahfuzur Rahman, a regular locker holder, stated:
“Hearing that a customer’s locker had been emptied left me anxious. I checked my own locker and thankfully all is 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 the report:
“A customer has informed us that items stored in his locker are now missing. We promptly alerted the police and are fully cooperating with the investigation. The facts will only be clarified once the inquiry concludes.”
Police Investigation
Hasan Chowdhury, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bagerhat, visited the branch immediately after the incident and ordered a comprehensive investigation. 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 examined, 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 determine whether the loss was due to theft, misplacement, or an internal security breach.
Locker Security Concerns
The incident has sparked serious questions regarding locker security in Bagerhat. Customers and local business owners are calling for stronger safeguards for high-value assets. Bank officials have assured clients that security measures will be reviewed and strengthened where necessary to prevent similar incidents.
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 for the family but also across the local community, raising questions about trust in banking security standards. Residents and business owners are urging swift action to safeguard customer assets, prevent recurrence, and ensure a transparent investigation.
As authorities continue their probe, attention is focused on identifying the cause of the loss and recovering the missing items. The incident underscores the critical need for robust security protocols in banks, particularly concerning personal lockers containing high-value assets.