An assistant manager posted at a branch of a nationalized bank in Bengaluru has been arrested for stealing a large amount of gold from customers’ lockers. The accused has been identified as 34-year-old Kiran Kumar. According to the police, taking advantage of his access to the bank’s security system and locker keys, he gradually misappropriated the pledged jewelery of the customers and spent the money received from the pledge in online betting and gambling.
2,783 grams of gold stolen
The matter came to light on January 2, when some customers reached the Indian Bank branch to take back their mortgaged jewellery. When the bank employees checked the concerned lockers, irregularities were found in them. After this, the bank administration started a detailed investigation, which revealed that gold was partially missing from a total of 21 packets, while three packets were completely empty. According to preliminary assessment, about 2,783 grams of gold was stolen, the estimated value of which is said to be around Rs 4 crore.
Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the bank management immediately lodged a complaint at the local police station. The police started investigation and interrogated the bank employees. During the investigation, suspicion fell on Kiran Kumar, who was later detained and interrogated. According to police sources, during interrogation the accused confessed to the crime and told that he had obtained cash by pledging the stolen gold in different finance companies and shops. He used this amount for online betting and gambling.
1.2 kg gold recovered
Police have so far recovered about 1.2 kg of gold, while the search for the remaining gold is going on. The investigating officers are also contacting the financial institutions where the accused had pledged the gold. However, due to non-cooperation of some institutions, the police is preparing to take necessary instructions from the court.
After this incident, the bank administration and police have appealed to the customers to keep checking their lockers from time to time and immediately inform the bank and police of any kind of irregularity. This case has also raised questions on the banking security system, due to which a need is being felt to further strengthen monitoring and security measures in future.
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