The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) bench, consisting of Smt. G. Venkateswari (President), Smt. P. Vijaya Durga (Member), and Sri Karaka Ramana Babu (Member), addressed a case involving Union Bank of India. The complaint highlighted deficiency in service related to unauthorized transactions from the complainant’s account.
Complainant’s Allegations
Mr. Polamarasetty Satyarao, holding an account with Union Bank of India’s Sheelanagar branch, discovered unauthorized deductions of Rs. 45/- and Rs. 5,000/- from his account. Despite multiple communications with the bank and sending a legal notice, the complainant received no satisfactory response.
Bank’s Response
The bank denied the deductions, attributing them to Aadhaar Card validation. It questioned the complainant’s lack of evidence for ineffective communication, suggesting the possibility of misuse through thumb impressions or transactions in another bank. The bank contended it did not initiate the transactions.
District Commission’s Findings
The District Commission noted the bank’s failure to provide a satisfactory response or conduct an investigation into the Aadhar Card-linked deductions. It deemed the transactions elsewhere using Aadhar Cards largely impractical in the context of advanced technology.
Verdict
The District Commission held the bank responsible for neglecting its duty to promptly address the complainant’s concerns and conduct investigations. Consequently, the bank was held liable for the deficiency in service.
Remedies Ordered
- The bank’s branch and head office were directed to jointly and severally refund Rs. 5,045/- to the complainant.
- A compensation of Rs. 10,000/- was awarded to the complainant for mental agony.
- Rs. 5,000/- was ordered to be paid by the bank for the complainant’s litigation costs.
