If bank lockers aren't safe, where do we go?

"If even bank lockers aren't safe, where can we go?" questioned Ankit Asthana, a victim of the shocking heist at the Chinhat branch of Indian Overseas Bank.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW: This sentiment captures the anguish of dozens of customers who lost their life savings in a brazen theft on Saturday night.

Thieves broke through reinforced concrete walls to access 42 lockers, escaping with valuables worth several crores, including gold, silver, and critical documents.

The incident has not only stripped locker holders of their precious belongings but also eroded trust in the bank's ability to provide security.

For Usha Kushwaha, the theft was a crushing blow. "They took over 400 grams of gold and 750 grams of silver. Despite paying Rs 2,400 annually for the locker, the bank's security was nonexistent," she said, pointing out that the thieves bypassed both walls and locker rods with ease.

Jyoti Srivastava, another victim, shared her heartbreak: "I stored gold collected over years, including jewelry from my mother-in-law, for my daughters' weddings. Now it's all gone."

Reflecting on the bank's negligence, she added, "There wasn't even a guard during regular visits. How could this happen?"

Shashi Kala, whose life savings for her daughter's wedding were stolen, broke down outside the bank.

"Everything I worked for is gone. I feel helpless and betrayed," she said.

The heist has raised serious questions about the safety of bank lockers, which are trusted by millions to safeguard valuables. Victims are not just grieving their financial losses but also grappling with the emotional toll of broken trust.