Woman alleges wedding gold worth around ₹50 lakh missing from SBI locker in Kanpur
A Kanpur resident has alleged that gold and valuables stored in State Bank of India (SBI) locker number 23 at a local branch were missing when she opened the safe deposit after almost 17 years, according to a social media post that has circulated widely. Police in Swaroop Nagar have registered a case and the bank said it is looking into the matter.
The woman, who reportedly had not accessed the locker since 2003, approached the branch in July 2026 after her husband passed away and she moved in with her daughter. The viral post stated that the locker contained wedding jewellery and family gold with an estimated value of about ₹50 lakh.
- The locker was allegedly untraceable at first and branch staff told the woman there was no locker registered in her name, the post said.
- A few days later, the locker was located and opened, when it was reportedly found empty.
- Bank access records cited in the post show two entries for locker number 23 in 2020, though the woman said she had not opened it then.
Police in Swaroop Nagar confirmed that a case has been filed against the SBI branch manager and other employees in connection with the allegations, and the matter is under investigation, the post said. SBI has also sought details of the case by email as it examines the complaint.
"Trust no one in money matters!"
The original social media message concluded with a warning to those who keep valuables in bank lockers, a line that resonated with many users online and sparked debate about locker security and bank oversight.
Timeline and records cited
| Year | Event (as reported) |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Woman last accessed the locker, according to her account. |
| 2020 | Bank records reportedly show two instances of access to locker number 23. |
| July 2026 | Woman approached branch after husband's death; locker found empty when opened. |
At this stage, the claims in the social media post have not established who was responsible for the missing valuables or how the alleged access in 2020 occurred. Investigating agencies will need to verify the bank's access logs, key custody records, surveillance footage (if retained for the relevant period) and staff employment or transfer histories to build a factual picture.
What authorities and bank have said
Police in Swaroop Nagar reportedly registered the first information report following the social media publicity and the complainant's account. The FIR reportedly names the branch manager and other bank employees as accused. The case is under investigation, according to the post.
State Bank of India, as cited in the report, has asked for details of the incident by email and is examining the matter. The bank's internal inquiry protocols for locker discrepancies will be central to resolving questions over access, key control and audit trails.
Until official findings are released, the missing-assets allegation remains subject to verification through normal investigative and legal processes. The case has revived public concern about the security of valuables placed in bank lockers and the systems banks maintain for access authorisation, record-keeping and staff accountability.
Local residents and social media users reacting to the post expressed alarm about locker safety, while others urged patience pending the outcome of the police probe and the bank's review. The investigation in Swaroop Nagar will determine whether the incident points to criminal action, negligence, fraud or errors in record-keeping.
Authorities have not released a detailed timeline of investigative steps. The complainant's valuation of the missing items, cited as around ₹50 lakh, will be examined against any available documentation, receipts or old photographs if produced during the probe.
The matter remains active; further official statements from the police or SBI will clarify the progress and findings of the ongoing inquiry.
