Pune: PNB Manager and Jeweller Booked for Rs 2.65 Crore Jewellery Theft by Opening Bank Locker Without Owner’s Permission

Pune : A shocking case of theft has been uncovered involving the Punjab National Bank’s manager and a jeweller in Pune. They are accused of illegally opening a bank locker and stealing jewellery of gold, silver, diamonds, and cash worth over Rs 2.65 crore from it.

The Lashkar Police have registered a case against the bank manager, Nayana Ajwani, and jeweller, Satish Punjabi, along with Surendar Shahani and other unidentified individuals for their involvement in this crime.

The complaint was lodged by Yash Keshavlal Kapoor, a 47-year-old resident of Empress Court Society, Tara Baug, Sopan Baug. According to the police, the incident took place between August 13 and September 6 at Punjab National Bank, Arora Towers, located in Pune’s Camp area.

Kapoor had rented a locker at the Punjab National Bank two months ago and stored valuable items, including gold and silver jewellery, diamond ornaments, and cash in it. However, when he visited the bank on September 6, he discovered that his locker had been tampered with and emptied without his consent.

He found that the bank manager, in collaboration with jeweller Satish Punjabi and others, accessed Kapoor’s locker several times without any official approval from him. Surendar Shahani, one of the conspirators, allegedly broke open the locker on August 13 and, in a series of unauthorised actions, stole valuables worth Rs 2.65 crore, including Rs 9.50 lakh in cash and important documents.

Shockingly, the stolen jewellery was handed over to jeweller Satish Punjabi, who proceeded to melt down the precious jewellery to destroy evidence. The plaintiff accused that the entire theft was carried out without adhering to any of the bank’s security protocols.

A case has now been registered at the Lashkar Police Station, and Assistant Police Inspector Vishal Dandge is leading the investigation into the matter.