The legal argument taken by the banks is that there is no 'entrustment' of contents placed in lockers by the depositor to the bank. Therefore, the banks aren't responsible for its contents.
But the National Commission by its order dated July 11, 2000 rejected the Bank of Maharashtra's contention and held that "the depositors had taken the lockers on rent only because of the security provided by the bank and it is not simply a landlord and tenant relationship. The depositors have kept jewellery and other valuable articles on the assurance that the bank will provide complete security..."
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