Chandigarh

DF-II

CC/1108/2019

Parminder Pal Singh Bhatia - Complainant(s)

Versus

Sr. Manager, Canara Bank - Opp.Party(s)

In Person

20 May 2020

ORDER

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM-II, U.T. CHANDIGARH

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Consumer Complaint  No	:	1108 of 2019
Date  of  Institution	:	13.11.2019
Date   of   Decision	:	20.05.2020

 

 

 

 

Parminder Pal Singh Bhatia, #3204, sector 27-D, Chandigarh 160019 

             …..Complainants

Versus

1]  Sr.Manager, Canara Bank, SCO No.255-256, Sector 44-C, Chandigarh 160047

2]  General Manager, Canara Bank, Circle Office, Plot No.1, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh 160022

3]  AGM Customer Service Section, Canara Bank, Circle Office, Plot No.1, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh.

   ….. Opposite Parties 

 

BEFORE:  SH.RAJAN DEWAN              PRESIDENT

         MRS.PRITI MALHOTRA             MEMBER 

                               

 

 

Argued by :-  Complainant in person.

   Sh.Munish Chaudhary, Adv. for OPs.

 

 

PER RAJAN DEWAN, PRESIDENT

 

         Briefly stated, The case of the complainant is that he is maintaining a Savings Bank Account No.2399101010929 with OP No.1 Bank Branch.  It is stated that complainant’s daughter got admission in UK at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester for Post-Graduation in M.Design.  It is also stated that for CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), as required from University for Visa Purpose and confirmation admission, the complainant was to show financial documents.  As such the complainant, as alleged, got Balance Certificates from all his banks including OP No.1.  However, the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK asked the complainant to obtain the Balance Certificate as per their sample language.  It is averred that the complainant again obtained Balance Certificates from five banks as per sample language.  It is submitted that on 10^th September, 2019, which was last date, the complainant submitted a written request and on the direction of bank official paid an amount of Rs.150/- for the Balance Certificate and because of this one day turn, the matter became complicated, resultantly, the complainant was to obtain Balance Certificate from other bank on next day 11^th Sept., 2019, but since it was last day, the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, but since it was last day, the Manchester Metropolitan University refused to issue CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) as 10.9.2019 was last date to send Balance Certificate. It is also averred that the complainant further required to show finance of Rs.2 lakhs and as such visited OP No.1 Bank for getting Balance Certificate, made written request and agreed to pay charges for it, but still the Officer & Officials of OP No.1 kept on lingering the matter on one pretext or the other and wasted the whole day and ultimately denied to issue the same, due to which whole purpose of complainant was frustrated.  It is submitted that due to said illegal & arbitrary act of OP No.1, the complainant had to apply for Priority Visa for his daughter instead of General Visa and thereby incurred extra financial burden of Rs.22,111/- apart from paying extra Rs.12,000/- for ticket on spot rates.  The matter was reported to higher officer of OP bank, but they did not take any action.  It is also submitted that the OPs also illegally deducted Rs.18/- in December, 2018 & March, 2019 as SMS Charges despite complainant’s request not to deduct same as he does not require it. It is further submitted that the OP No.1 branch also forces the wife of complainant to open saving bank account for maintaining PF Account there and refused to accept cash.  Alleging the above act & conduct of OPs as deficiency in service, this complaint has been filed.

 

2]       OPs No.1 to 3 have filed joint reply and while admitting the factual matrix of the case, stated that OP No.1 never refused to issue Balance Certificate to the complainant, but it is the complainant, who himself advised the bank official to issue the same with heading ‘To Whom It May Concern’ as per his own whishes, which is not permissible, rather the same had already been issued on same day i.e.10.9.2019, but the complainant had refused to accept the same.  It is stated that the complainant himself refused to accept the Balance Certificate issued by bank and compelled to issue it as per his own desire, which was not permissible.  It is pleaded that SMS services is activated on instructions of the complainant, therefore, the charges are rightly deducted. Denying all other allegations and pleading no deficiency in service, the OPs have prayed for dismissal of the complaint. 

 

3]       Replication has also been filed by the complainant reiterating the assertion as made in complaint and controverting that of OPs No.1 & 2 made in their reply. 

 

4]       Parties led evidence in support of their contentions.

 

5]       We have heard the ld.Counsel for the parties and have also perused the entire record.

 

 

6]       The perusal of the record reveals that there has been deficiency in service on the part of the OP Bank.  It is the privilege of the customer to have balance certificate as and when it requires and such request of the customer/complainant to issue the prescribed certificate “To Whomsoever It May Concern”, is in no way wrong or out of the way or a wrong request.  As it is clear that the complainant manage to obtain similar certificate from other bank, there is deficiency in service on the part of OPs.

 

7]       In view of above findings & discussion, the complaint stands allowed against OP.  The OP is directed to pay a lumpsum amount of Rs.5,000/- to the complainant towards compensation and litigation cost.

 

         This order shall be complied with by the Opposite Party within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of its certified copy, failing which they shall be liable to pay additional compensation cost of Rs.5,000/- apart from above relief.

         The certified copy of this order be sent to the parties free of charge, after which the file be consigned.

Announced

20^th May, 2020                                                                        Sd/-                                                                                        

(RAJAN DEWAN)

PRESIDENT

 

 

 

Sd/-

 (PRITI MALHOTRA)

MEMBER