Bank locker theft news: The have reported 40 bank locker theft cases over the past five years. However, as of March 31, 2025, a total of 1,09,98,050 bank lockers were operational across these banks. The banks offer safe deposit locker facilities to customers on rent, allowing them to keep their valuables, documents and other important items.
In a written statement in Lok Sabha, said that 40 cases of locker theft have been established in PSBs during FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. She further added that a total of 11,22,982 locker facilities are currently operated by Rural Cooperative Banks.
“As per information from received from NABARD, a total of 11,22,982 locker facilities are currently operated by Rural Cooperative Banks. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that it does not maintain details of locker facilities operated in banks and nor the cases of locker theft,” Sitharaman said.
The finance minister further said that as per the extant guidelines, banks are liable for loss of locker contents arising from incidents such as fire, theft, burglary, dacoity, robbery, building collapse or employee fraud, where such loss is attributable to the bank’s negligence or deficiency.
“In such cases, the liability of banks is capped at an amount equivalent to one hundred times the prevailing annual locker rent,” she said.
Sitharaman added that banks have been advised to put in place Board-approved insurance policies to mitigate losses arising from contingencies affecting locker contents. “Banks are required to ensure that locker premises are adequately secured against criminal break-ins as well as natural and man-made hazards, in accordance with prescribed standards.
As informed by PSBs, locker units are housed in strong rooms or safes conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards specifications. Branches are equipped with CCTV surveillance, burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems and appropriate physical security arrangements, which are subject to periodic audit,” the Union Minister said.
