A resident of Punjab, Pankaj Kumar, has finally received justice after a long legal battle against the State Bank of India (SBI). The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) directed SBI to pay Kumar a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for unauthorized ATM withdrawals totaling over Rs 1 lakh from his account.
The case dates back to July 2014, when Kumar received alarming phone notifications about eight withdrawals from his SBI account in Maharashtra, a staggering 1,800 km away. Two transactions were reversed, but the remaining Rs 1 lakh vanished without his knowledge or consent.
Adding to the mystery, Kumar hadn’t used his ATM card for over a year and it remained in his possession throughout. CCTV footage further confirmed that someone else had withdrawn the money.
Determined to seek justice, Kumar embarked on a long legal journey. He initially found support at the district consumer forum, but the State Consumer Commission of Punjab overturned the verdict. Undeterred, Kumar escalated the case to the NCDRC.
Relying on CCTV evidence and RBI guidelines, the NCDRC ruled in Kumar’s favor. The court highlighted that the unauthorized withdrawals occurred miles away while Kumar was physically present elsewhere, and that the card was never out of his possession.
SBI attempted to defend itself by suggesting Kumar might have “compromised his ATM card” for cloning, but the court dismissed this claim. They also questioned Kumar’s knowledge of the ATM locations, but this was deemed irrelevant considering the clear evidence of unauthorized access.
Ultimately, the NCDRC upheld the district forum’s decision and imposed additional costs on SBI for its failure to protect its customer’s financial security.
This case serves as a crucial reminder for banks to prioritize robust security measures and ensure accountability for unauthorized transactions. It also highlights the importance of consumer awareness and the legal avenues available for seeking redressal in such situations.
Pankaj Kumar’s perseverance and the NCDRC’s verdict offer hope for other victims of similar fraudulent activities, encouraging them to fight for their rights and hold financial institutions accountable.
