Dwarika Prasad probably really hates termites now, and banks too

BBC News has a story about a man who lost his life savings due to termites! Dwarika Prasad thought his investment papers, currency notes, and other valuables would be safe in a bank in the state capital Patna in India. Unfortunately for him, the bank had a little termite problem, and only put up notices warning their customers. Prasad didn’t go to the bank often and was unaware of the problem. Opening it for the first time in months, Prasad only found termite dust and the “badly perforated” remains of his financial documents in his safe deposit box.

The termites were voracious, and apparently love the taste of valuables. Prasad had nearly half-a-million rupees in currency notes ($11,000) and a quarter of a million rupees of investment papers ($5,660) in the box. He even had some gold and silver jewelry, figuring it was all safe in the government-owned Central Bank of India. He was wrong, and the termites even attacked the jewelry!

Unfortunately for Dwarika Prasad, the bank strongly claims it is not liable for his losses. They admitted that they did not inform customers individually, but they believe that their notice absolves them of any wrongdoing. They sprayed pesticides and Prasad’s locker was not broken or damaged, and thus won’t admit fault.

[BBC News]

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