Lucknow: A case was registered against former Punjab National Bank Thakurganj branch manager and unidentified individuals following allegations of breaking open four bank lockers and misappropriating gold jewellery worth Rs 48 lakh.FIR under section 316(5) and 351(2) of BNS was lodged on directions of court after police initially failed to act on complaint, said Thakurganj police station house officer Omveer Chauhan, adding, “Theft victim’s statement is being recorded and documents related to the lockers were sought. Preparations are underway to question the former bank manager,” he said.
Complainant Ram Pyare Srivastava, retired employee and resident of Garhi Pir Khan area, stated in the FIR that he held four lockers at the PNB Thakurganj branch since Oct 20, 1987 and gold ornaments worth around Rs 48 lakh were kept in them.He alleged that due to professional commitments, he could not visit the bank regularly for a long period. On Jun 21, 2024, when he visited the branch to get his jewellery, he was informed by the branch manager that all the ornaments were missing and the lockers had meanwhile been allotted to other individuals. Shocked by the disclosure, he submitted a written complaint to the bank.Srivastava further alleged in the FIR that instead of initiating any concrete action, the former branch manager transferred Rs 55,000 to another of his bank accounts in the name of locker charges without his consent. When he objected, he was allegedly advised to “focus on ‘puja paath’ (religious activities)” and was told that no action would be taken against bank officials.The complainant also claimed that when he continued to protest, he was threatened with being sent to jail on charges of obstructing govt work. He approached Thakurganj police on Jul 7, 2025, but no case was registered, prompting him to move court.
