Chandigarh

DF-II

CC/470/2016

Karan Singla - Complainant(s)

Versus

HDFC Bank - Opp.Party(s)

In Person

03 Oct 2016

ORDER

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM-II

U.T. CHANDIGARH

 

Consumer Complaint No.	:	470/2016
Date of Institution	:	05.07.2016
Date of Decision	:	03/10/2016

 

                                       

                                               

Karan Singla son of Sh.Vijay Singla r/o H.No.1815, Nirvana Society, Sector 49-B, Chandigarh

                                ...  Complainant.

Versus

HDFC Bank through its Branch Manager, SCO 288, Sector 32, Chandigarh

…. Opposite Party.

BEFORE:  SHRI RAJAN DEWAN, PRESIDENT

SMT.PRITI MALHOTRA, MEMBER

 

Argued by: Complainant in person.

                OP exparte.

 

PER RAJAN DEWAN, PRESIDENT

1.         In brief, the case of the complainant is that  he is having a saving bank A/c No.13791600000087 with the OP Bank and during the financial year 2013-14, he applied for a locker No.115. Accordingly, he was allotted the said locker which is in the joint possession of the complainant and his mother, who is already having the savings bank account with the OP.  According to the complainant, he gave instructions to the OP that the annual rent for the said locker be deducted from his savings bank a/c.  It has further been averred that  during the financial year, 2013-14, an amount of Rs.1,378/- was deducted towards locker rent charges on 02.05.2013 besides Rs.20/- on account of stamp charges and Rs.170.32 towards ST and Cess on the locker on 14.05.2013. He has been regularly availing the locker facility since the year 2013.  According to the complainant, the OP charged an amount of Rs.12,881/- @ Rs.4293/- p.a. towards the locker charges  for the financial year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 despite the fact that the annual charges for the said locker were Rs.1500/- p.a. (inclusive of all charges).  On enquiry, he was informed by the Bank that the annual charges for the locker have been increased from the financial year 2014-15 onwards and as such  the locker charges as per the prevailing rates for that particular period were charged from him.  It has further been averred that the Bank has caused him sudden financial loss by deducting such an exorbitant amount for the past two years without any intimation.  Alleging that the aforesaid acts amount to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of the Opposite Party, the complainant has filed the instant complaint.
2.         Despite due service through registered post, the Opposite Party failed to put in appearance and as a result thereof it was ordered to be proceeded against exparte vide order dated 31.08.2016.
3.         We have heard the complainant in person and have gone through the documents on record.
4.         After going through the documentary evidence on record and hearing the complainant, in person, we are of the considered view that the complaint is liable to be dismissed for the reasons stated hereinafter. The case of the complainant is that the Bank had caused him financial loss by suddenly deducting the exohitant locker charges for the past two years.  No doubt, the Bank should have deducted the locker charges annually. However, in case, the Bank could not have deducted such charges from the accountholder on one or the other reason then it cannot be said that the Bank had caused him any financial loss by deducting the locker charges in one go for the past two years, as tried to be projected by him.  Undisputedly, the complainant is still enjoying the locker facilities in the said Bank without any hindrance. Moreover, it is not the case of the complainant that the Bank had deducted the locker charges more than the revised rates.  In this view of the matter, it is held that the complainant did not suffer any financial loss, as alleged, on account of the deduction of the locker charges by the Bank especially when he was liable to pay to the same as per the rules.
5.         In view of the above discussion, finding the complaint, to be devoid of any merit, the same is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs.
6.         Certified copy of this order be communicated to the parties, free of charge. After compliance file be consigned to record room.

Announced

03/10/2016                                                                      Sd/-

(RAJAN DEWAN)

PRESIDENT

 

Sd/-

(PRITI MALHOTRA)

MEMBER