Twitter
Advertisement

Bank debunks trader’s ‘termite attack’ claim

A trader claiming that termites ate up Rs4.5 lakh he kept in a bank locker is demanding compensation, while the bank authorities contend it to be ‘fictitious’.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin
PATNA: A trader claiming that termites ate up Rs4.5 lakh he kept in a bank locker is demanding compensation, while the bank authorities contend it to be ‘fictitious’.

“I had kept my lifetime’s earnings in the bank locker, but all my savings in my old age have been lost,” 60-year-old Dwarika Prasad of Qazipur area who trades in ghee said. Prasad said he was shocked when he opened locker number 17 allotted to him at the Nayatola branch of Central Bank of India on January 29.

The Rs4.5 lakh he had kept in cash had been eaten up by termites and fixed deposit documents, Kisan Vikas Patras and National Saving Certificates worth over Rs2.5 lakh badly damaged.

He said he had lodged a formal complaint with the bank authorities the very next day and sought compensation, but there was no response. “I showed the polythene bag that contained currency notes nibbled to shreds by termites to the bank authorities but nobody paid any attention to my complaint,” he said. Senior manager of the branch YP Saha, however, termed Prasad’s claim as ‘fictitious’.

“People don’t generally keep their hard earned money in bank lockers. The customer’s claim appears to be fictitious as he did not immediately inform us about the loss and took a few days to lodge a complaint,” Saha said.

Moreover, Saha said no bank in the country ever ascertained what a customer was depositing in the locker since the entire thing was ‘confidential’.

“We have more than 400 lockers and the bank’s responsibility for safe keeping is restricted to ensuring that the locker is not tampered with. In this case, the locker has not been tampered with,” Saha said.

Asked if there was a termite menace in the branch, Saha said, “Had there been a termite menace, our files, many of which are kept in the open, would also have been damaged.”

“If the bank does not compensate me for the loss, I will move a consumer forum for redress,” a combative Prasad said.
Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement