RAMA CHAUDHRY Vs. CHAIRMAN PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Briefly the facts are that the complainants hired a locker No.423 jointly from the respondent No.3. They, it is alleged, deposited gold ornaments weighing about 350 gms. consisting of 3 bangle pairs, one golden set consisting of 7 pieces, one gents-ring, two ladies rings, one necklace and two Kantass The ornaments were presented to complainant No.1 by her parents, in-laws and husband i. e. , applicant No.1. Complainant No.1 operated the locker from time to time and found that the ornaments were lying safe. She operated the locker lastly on 5th April, 1988.

(2.) On 21st September, 1988 at about 12-30 p. m. Mr. P. K. Aggarwal and Mr. Shankar Lal both employees of the Bank contacted complainant No.1 and requested her to check the locker. Complainant No.2 was not presept at the residence at that time. She went to the Bank and found the door of the locker in a tapered condition. On opening the locker it was found that the gold ornaments were missing from there.

(3.) She, it is averred, made a complaint to the In charge of the lockers and the Branch Manager of the Bank but they did not pay any heed to her. It is further averred that the locker had been tampered with by the employees of the Branch and that they had taken away the ornaments. The complainant lodged the First Information Report on the same date with P. S. Sector 15, Faridabad, which was recorded at S. No.421. It is therefore prayed that the respondents be directed to pay an amount of Rs.1.20 lacs towards the price of the gold ornaments with interest @ 18% P. A. from the date the locker was operated last till the realisation of the decretal amount, Rs.5,000/- towards expenses and Rs.50,000/- as exemplary damages.