SBI investigating missing gold at Gara branch in AP

Visakhapatnam: Following apprehensions expressed by customers on safety of gold mortgaged to it for obtaining loans at Gara branch of State Bank of India in Srikakulam district, top officials of the premier bank said the jewellery deposited by them is in safe hands and there is no need for panic reaction by them.

Panic spread in Srikakulam among the customers following the missing of 60 bags containing mortgaged gold jewellery at Gara branch a fortnight ago and the subsequent suicide by a female employee under mysterious circumstances.

Worried customers also staged a dharna after SBI formally lodged a police complaint by naming four suspects for the missing gold ornaments.

Reacting to the panic reaction, SBI stated in a release here on Saturday that there was a news item relating to 60 gold loan bags missing in SBI Gara branch in Srikakulam district. In this connection, it is clarified by Pankaj Kumar, Deputy General Manager, SBI, Visakhapatnam that a detailed investigation is under process and the customers have already been duly notified.

He also assured that the bank will be taking care of their interest and no customer will be put to any hardship. Out of 86 reported missed bags, 26 have already been recovered and contents duly verified, while the process for recovery of remaining bags is taking its due course.

He advised that all the other gold bags pledged with the Gara branch, barring these 60 bags, are safe and all customers who repay their gold loans will be delivered their items and there is absolutely no need to worry. He thanked the customers for their continued faith and assured that the branch staff are duly taking care of the customer requirements. He reiterated SBI’s commitment towards its customers and said that no customer will be put to loss in whatsoever manner.