Standard Chartered Bank to pay Rs 55K to customer as damages
The District Consumer Forum (Central) gave the order on a complaint of Ajit Kumar that the bank had sent a bill demanding over Rs 90,000 and put his name in the defaulters' list in 2008 even though he had returned the credit card, unused, in 1999...
By PTI | Updated:
New Delhi: Standard Chartered Bank has been ordered by a consumer forum to pay Rs 55,000 as damages to a customer for harassing him by raising a demand of over Rs 90,000 for payment against credit card dues and putting his name in defaulters' list even though he had returned the card.
The District Consumer Forum (Central) gave the order on a complaint of North West Delhi resident Ajit Kumar that the bank had sent a bill demanding over Rs 90,000 and put his name in the defaulters' list in 2008 even though he had returned the credit card, unused, in 1999.
The three-member panel of the forum, headed by President B B Chaudhary, observed the demand made by the bank was "unfounded" and by not removing Kumar's name from the list of defaulters, it had caused "deficiency in service".
"The demand of the bank for use of the credit card is unfounded. By keeping the name of the complainant in the list of defaulters, the bank has caused further deficiency in service," said the forum.
The forum ordered the bank not to call the complaint for any payment relating to the credit card and to remove his name from the defaulters list and also issue him a 'no due certificate'.
The forum also agreed with Kumar's contention that he had returned the card in February 1999, without using it for any cash transactions.
"We believe the case of the complainant that the credit card was returned to the bank in February 1999 and by that time the complainant had not used the credit card for any transaction," the forum said.
It directed the bank to "to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation for causing harassment, pain and mental agony" and Rs 5,000 as litigation charges to Kumar.
The District Consumer Forum (Central) gave the order on a complaint of North West Delhi resident Ajit Kumar that the bank had sent a bill demanding over Rs 90,000 and put his name in the defaulters' list in 2008 even though he had returned the credit card, unused, in 1999.
The three-member panel of the forum, headed by President B B Chaudhary, observed the demand made by the bank was "unfounded" and by not removing Kumar's name from the list of defaulters, it had caused "deficiency in service".
"The demand of the bank for use of the credit card is unfounded. By keeping the name of the complainant in the list of defaulters, the bank has caused further deficiency in service," said the forum.
The forum ordered the bank not to call the complaint for any payment relating to the credit card and to remove his name from the defaulters list and also issue him a 'no due certificate'.
The forum also agreed with Kumar's contention that he had returned the card in February 1999, without using it for any cash transactions.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We believe the case of the complainant that the credit card was returned to the bank in February 1999 and by that time the complainant had not used the credit card for any transaction," the forum said.
It directed the bank to "to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation for causing harassment, pain and mental agony" and Rs 5,000 as litigation charges to Kumar.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
Related Articles
Standard Chartered Bank settles Sebi case over FPI lapsesADVERTISEMENT
