Pune: In a startling incident, jewelry worth ₹13,59,401 stored in a locker at Abhyudaya Co-operative Bank's Nana Peth branch has been reported stolen. The theft has raised serious concerns about the safety of valuables kept in bank lockers.

The complaint was filed by a 65-year-old Bibwewadi resident, who, along with her sister-in-law, had a joint locker at the bank. According to her, the locker contained gold and silver jewelry valued at ₹13,59,401.

The theft reportedly occurred between March 30 and May 15, 2024. The complainant initially approached the bank with the matter, but bank records revealed no entry logs showing the locker being accessed during this period. This discrepancy has led to many unanswered questions, including whether the jewelry was stored as claimed and, if so, how the theft occurred.

Following the complaint, senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Assistant Commissioner Nutan Pawar, and Senior Police Inspector Umesh Gitte, visited the bank to investigate the matter further. Sub-Inspector J.R. Fadtare is leading the ongoing investigation to determine the facts and trace the stolen valuables.

In September 2024, a Punjab National Bank manager and a jeweler had been accused of opening a customer's locker without permission and stealing valuables worth ₹2.65 crores, including gold, silver, diamonds, and cash. The stolen jewelry was allegedly melted down to destroy the evidence.

The Cantonment Police had registered a case against the culprits, which includes a high-ranking manager Nayana Ajwani at Punjab National Bank and a local jeweler Satish Punjabi.