81 Tola of Gold Vanished From a Bank Locker: The Multan Case That Should Worry Every Locker Holder

81 Tola of Gold Vanished From a Bank Locker: The Multan Case That Should Worry Every Locker Holder

On 6 October 2026, reports emerged of a case in Multan in which a woman, Maria Zafar, alleged that around 81 tola of gold worth millions of rupees had gone missing from her locker at Allied Bank. She filed an application against the bank manager, operations manager and six other officials, accusing them of illegally changing the locker's lock and removing her gold.

The case was initially investigated by police and has since been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is expected to determine how the locker was accessed, who authorised the alleged lock change, and where the missing gold went.

Allegations Are Not Proof

The allegations have not yet been proven, and the accused officials will have an opportunity to present their position during the investigation. Readers should treat the complaint as what it is — one side's account, now under formal investigation — not as a verdict against the bank or any individual.

That caution cuts both ways: it would be wrong to declare the bank guilty today, and equally wrong to assume a locker is automatically safe because it sits inside a bank.

Why Locker Cases Frighten Gold Owners

A bank locker is supposed to be the safest place for gold — safer than a home, with two keys, a register and a vault. When the allegation is that the lock itself was changed without the holder's authorisation, it strikes at the one protection a locker is meant to guarantee.

At 25 October board rates — 24K around Rs414,000–Rs418,000 per tola and 22K near Rs383,000, varying by board and time of day — 81 tola represents an enormous sum, which is why locker disputes are fought so hard. Always check aaj ka rate for current figures. This is general guidance, not financial advice.

Locker Checks Every Holder Should Make

• Visit your locker at least once a year, open it yourself, and check that the contents match your own inventory.

• Keep your own photographs and weight list outside the bank — never rely only on the bank's record.

• Never sign a blank form or authorise a lock change verbally; insist on written authorisation and keep a copy.

What to Do If Something Looks Wrong

If a lock looks changed, a seal is broken or an item is missing, do not open the locker further and do not argue at the counter — note the date and time, photograph what you see, and file a written complaint to the branch and the bank's head office the same day.

Keep copies of everything, including the locker agreement and the rent receipts. In locker disputes, the paper trail decides the case, and the holder who kept records is the holder who can prove a loss.

The Jeweller's Bottom Line

A locker is a strong box, not a guarantee. Your own inventory, your own photographs and your own annual check are the real protection — the bank's vault is only the second line.

If you hold gold in a locker, make this week the week you verify it. It costs one visit, and it is the cheapest insurance your gold will ever have.