Sunday, April 28, 2024

application to set aside sale notice before DRT Siliguri

 

IN THE DEBTS RECOVERY TRIBUNAL SILIGURI

PCM Tower, 2nd Floor, 2 no. Mile, Sevoke Road, Siliguri - 734001.

 

I.A. no. ___________OF 2024

{Diary no. __________of 2024}

in

SARFAESI APPLICATION NO 26 OF 2022

{ Diary no. 256/2021 }

 

HASNA BEWA

--- ---- APPLICANT

VERSUS

 

PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

----- ---- RESPONDENT

 

Application to set aside Sale Notice dated 27/03/2024;

 

The humble petition of the above named applicant, most respectfully;

Sheweth as under :

 

1.   That the applicant has already filed an application being SA no. 26 of 2022 (Diary No. 256 of 2021), challenging the action and conduct of the respondent bank in respect of the Loan facility bearing Account No. 0700250032294. The said application is pending before this Learned Tribunal for final adjudication, wherein the Written Notes of Argument has been placed.

 

2.   That the applicant received a Sale Notice dated 27-03-2024, only on 05-04-2024 being delivered by the Postal Authority. The said notice as appeared has been booked on 03-04-2024, in the Postal Tracking Report. The Respondent with oblique motive prepared the said Sale Notice dated 27-03-2024, booked only on 03-04-2024. The said sale notice is a 3rd sale notice during pendency of the present SA before the Hon’ble Tribunal.

 

Photostat copy of the said Sale Notice dated 27-03-2024, with envelop and the postal track report are annexed herewith and marked as Annexure “A” Collectively.

3.   That the said Sale Notice allegedly demanded the purported earlier outstanding dues amounting to Rs. 69,27,691.87 (Rupees Sixty Nine Lakh Twenty Seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety One and Eighty Seven paisa only), as on 02-07-2021 with further interest and charges, within a period of 30 days from the date of the said notice, failing which the respondent may be constrained to sell the secured assets.

 

4.   That the said Sale notice did not give any calculation or particulars as to how the said Sale Notice allegedly demanded the purported earlier outstanding dues amounting to Rs. 69,27,691.87 (Rupees Sixty Nine Lakh Twenty Seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety One and Eighty Seven paisa only), as on 02-07-2021 with further interest and charges, while a Demand Notice dated 09-04-2021, given by the respondent through their Learned Advocate Subhash Saha, furnished the calculation and particulars’ of demand as follows;

 

Sl. No.

Account No.

SCHEME

Limit

Total Due

1

0700250032294

CCOTH

Rs. 40.00

Rs. 42,04,405.00

2

0700306740359

LACOV

Rs. 4.00

Rs. 4,18,453.00

3

0700306742490

CFITL

Rs. 2.81

Rs. 3,02,069.00

 

TOTAL

-

-

Rs. 49,24,927.00

 

Therefore the demand appeared to be a sum of Rs. 49,24,927/- (Rupees Forty Nine Lakhs Twenty Four Thousand and Nine Hundred Twenty Seven) only, as on 09-04-2021; thus on what stretch of calculative imagination the said sum enhanced as a sum of Rs. 69,27,691.87 (Rupees Sixty Nine Lakh Twenty Seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety One and Eighty Seven paisa only), as on 02-07-2021, within a span of 2 (Two) months and 23 (Twenty Three) days. The demanded sum of amount is a purposive demand in the said sale notice by the respondent.

 

5.   The said Sale notice did not give the clear 30 (Thirty) days to the applicant as the said sale notice dated 27th day of March’ 2024, demanded money within 30 days from the date of the said notice. While the said notice booked only on 03/04/2024, with Post Office to serve on the applicant, and the same was delivered by the Postal Authority on 05/04/2024 to the applicant; Therefore the 30 days in terms of the respondent comes on 26th day of April’ 2024, and in terms from the date of receipt of the said Sale Notice on 05/04/2024, the 30 (Thirty) days will come on 05/05/2024; thus an oblique motive under the garb of the said sale notice dated 27th day of March’ 2024, has been clearly seen as drawn by the respondent against the applicant.

 

6.   That since no notice under Section 13(2) of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, has ever been served on the applicant, the measures under Section 13(4) is not warranted under the Law. The respondent failed to substantiate as to when and on which date the notice under Section 13(2) of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, has been served on the applicant. The applicant is not in receipt of any notice which termed as notice under Section 13(2) of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002. Therefore the measures initiated by the respondent are unlawful.

 

7.   That the respondent bank during pendency of the said application has issued a sale notice dated 21/01/2022, which was challenged by filling IA no. 46 of 2022.

 

8.   That by Order dated 21/02/2022, the Learned Tribunal was pleased to restrain the respondent bank not to give any effect to any bid in respect of the said sale notice dated 21/01/2022.

 

Photostat copy of the Order dated 21/02/2022 is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure –“B”.

 

9.   That the respondent bank by the said Order dated 21/02/2022, was given liberty to file objection to the said IA application. Till date the respondent bank has not served copy of the said objection, as such it is assumed that objection has not been filed.

 

10. That the applicant has brought series of serious allegations against the officers of the respondent bank, which are yet to be addressed and adjudicated.

 

11.   That with utter surprise the applicant has received the another Sale Notice dated 24/03/2022, only on 03/04/2023, which is similar to the previous sale notice dated 21/01/2023, the dues had been shown same in both the sale notices. The Sale Notice dated 24/03/2022, contained in an Enveloped which has been posted on 30/03/2023, under Speed Post no. EW963073352IN. The said Sale Notice shown under reference as CO SASTRA MURS/EAUCTION/2838/2022-23, date : 24.03.2022.

 

Photostat copy of the said Sale Notice dated 24-03-2022, with Envelop and track report are annexed herewith and marked as Annexure –“C” Collectively.

 

12.   That the conduct of the respondent bank is not in terms of Law. While the first Sale notice is pending where they have chosen not to file any objection, cannot issue the Second Sale Notice dated 24/03/2022.

 

13.     That the said Second Sale Notice dated 24-03-2022, has been challenged by way of IA/193/2023, wherein the Hon’ble Tribunal directed the respondent to file the up-to-date statement of account within 10 days along with the written objection by Order dated 24-04-2023; But the same has not been complied with by the respondent till the day of placing the present application.

 

Photostat copy of the said Order dated 24-04-2023, is annexed herewith and marked as annexure – “D”.

 

14.     That the respondent bank is deliberately avoiding to deal with the alleged criminality of the bank officials and on the contrary they are showing the applicant duped the loan amount.

 

15.     That the respondent bank by avoiding submissions of the objection to the previous sale notice dated 21/01/2022, & 24-03-2022, is actually admitting the case of the applicant which says fraudulent activities of the bank officials.

 

16.     That the respondent bank is only harassing the applicant by sending notices for sale to complicate the issue and to create confusion of the issue which the applicant specify in specific way, which says that the applicant has paid considerable amount, which the then bank officials did not deposit.

 

17.     That the respondent bank has claimed the same amount in sale notice dated 27/03/2024, as was claimed in their sale notice dated 21/01/2022 & 24/03/2022. This singular fact proves that the respondent bank as a routine duty in dealing with the matter and no coordination within the bank is seen meaning thereby the grievance of the applicant is established beyond any doubt.

 

18.       That the facts in the backdrop of the earlier application cited above;

 

(i)           The Defendant has served notice of intended Sale being no. CO SASTRA MURS/EAUCTION/999/2021, dated 21-01-2022, Up-on the applicant which has been posted on 28-01-2022, vide Consignment no. EW361395319IN, which reached to the applicant on 29-01-2022, and at the same time they have published E-Auction Sale Notice in the News Paper dated 22-01-2022, whereby it has been mentioned that mortgaged property of the applicant will be sold out through E-auction on 22-02-2022. It is surprising that in-spite of having knowledge of Criminal Conspiracy and activities of the Bank Officials in looting money from the applicant, the mortgaged property is going to be put on sale.

 

Photocopy of “notice of intended Sale” being no. CO SASTRA MURS/EAUCTION/999/2021, dated 21-01-2022, Up-on the applicant which has been posted on 28-01-2022, vide Consignment no. EW361395319IN, which reached to the applicant on 29-01-2022, and E-Auction Sale Notice in the News Paper dated 22-01-2022, are collectively annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “E”.

 

 

(ii)          The concerned respondent is showing four loan accounts vide account nos. 0700250032294, 0700306740359, 0700306742490, and 0700306734640; but in fact 0700306734640 and 0700250032294, exist and the other two loan accounts have no existence. As such the facts of the case and conduct of the concerned bank are required to be investigated first and the bank should inform the applicant the details of the loan amount disbursed to the applicant. Before doing that they cannot go for E-AUCTION of the mortgaged property.

 

(iii)        The applicant through her Learned Advocate by Email communication to the defendant requested to stay off their hand till out-come of the investigation regarding cheating and conspiracy of bank officials, as mentioned in the complaint dated 20-12-2021.

 

Photocopy of said Email is enclosing herewith and marked as Annexure – “F”

 

(iv)        After death of husband of your applicant in 2000, she faced a lot of problems including financial issues. To run her family she decided to start a business in 2011-12; but she had no sufficient money. So, She contacted with the then Branch Manager, namely one Mr. Sunder of United Bank of India, now Punjab National Bank, Nimtatla Chunakhali Branch, Beharampore, Murshidabad, for getting Loan of Rs. 3,00,000/- . The said Mr. Sunder sanctioned to start and run her business. She availed of that Loan and the same was repaid in time.

 

(v)          Your applicant further decided to enhance her business for which money was required. So She again approached the Branch Manager, who ultimately sanctioned further Loan of Rs. 5,00,000/-. She again repaid the said Loan in time. Therefore from time to time on three occasions She had taken Loan from Bank for doing her business and She repaid the entire Loan Amount with interest in time. In the mean-time new manager one Mr. Mahindra came to the Branch of the said Bank. Then the manager was again changed. One Mr. Koushik took the charge. She approached him for extending a Loan to the tune of Rs. 7,00,000/- to run smoothly the business of “Rana Raja Bastralay”. It was given. By that time the manager was again changed. One Mr. Prakash Shrivastava took the charge.

 

Photocopy of Certificate of Closure of the Loan Accounts, are collectively annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “G”

 

(vi)        Your applicant expressed her desire to the Branch Manager to start a new business for which a Loan of Rs. 40,00,000/- was required. But at that time She had existing three Loan accounts. To close down the said accounts, a sum approximately of Rs. 12,00,000/- was necessary. The said manager dissuaded to repay the said sum of Rs. 12,00,000/- from the new Loan of Rs. 40,00,000/- . your applicant agreed. He asked her to issue three cheques amounting to total 12 Lakhs. Your applicant issued the same and the manager assured her of closing the said three loan accounts. The manger further told your applicant that She would receive a cheque within a four days, and to contact him immediately after receiving the same. Accordingly, your applicant received the cheque by post and immediately contacted him. Subsequently the said Mr. Shrivastava joined RM Office. In-spite of receiving your applicant’s three cheques the Loan Amount was not repaid. In the mean-time your applicant contacted with Mr. Arun Babu, the Assistant Manager and told him the fact. After hearing her trouble he asked the concern Manager Mr. Shrivastava to whom your applicant submitted three cheques, to close down the said accounts immediately. Accordingly your applicant’s said three Loan accounts were closed.

 

(vii)       In availing the said Loan, Your applicant had to mortgage the Title Deed of one of her Properties. In-spite of repeated request and in-spite of the payment of the Loan Amount the bank authority has not returned the title deed. It is still lying with the Bank. The said Mr. Shrivastava also told your applicant not to disclose the fact that He have not been given the Deed to Mr. Sunder, Arun Babu, and Cashier Khokan Babu.

 

(viii)     The said Mr. Shrivastav in mean time came to residence of your applicant and asked for Rs. 3,00,000/- immediately to treat his ailing father and further assured her of depositing the same in her Loan Account. This is the incident of 2020. Relying his words and considering his immediate need She gave him Rs. 3 Lakhs by Cash. The said Mr. Shrivastav after a few days again came to residence of your applicant and asked for money to save another Customer of the Bank whose account has been declared as NPA. He immediately opened TOD and transferred Rs. 8 Lakhs in your applicant’s Account and then took that money for saving the said customer. He further promised to deposit the previous Rs. 3 Lakhs and present Rs. 8 Lakhs in your applicant’s Loan Account. But he has not kept his promise. The said Mr. Shrivastav again came to your applicant’s house and asked for Rs. 2 Lakhs in lieu of opening a Loan Account having subsidy facility. She paid him Rs. 50,000/- by cash and Rs. 1,50,000/- by cheque. The said Mr. Shrivastav has not given her certificate against her Gold Bond of 12 gm. Gold for which Rs. 60,000/- was given.

 

(ix)        The said Mr. Shrivastav has neither returned your applicant’s money to the tune of Rs. 15,00,000/- nor has he deposited the same in her loan account. He also has not handed over her Mediclaim Certificate for which She paid him Rs. 16,000/-. Beside key of the hardware shop room of one Mr. Jagadish Mondal has also not been handed over to her. He took the names of surajit, and sekhar of the bank who would solve her problem. The said Arun Babu of the bank in two parts took Rs. 14 Lakhs from your applicant against booking of a flat. Neither any agreement for sale has been prepared nor money, has been returned. Arun babu has also cheated your applicant.

 

(x)          Surprisingly the Bank authority which has now been merged with Punjab National Bank has published in “Financial Express” as well as Bengali vernacular “Ekdin” on their Edition on 10-11-2021, Possession Notice, in respect of the same property. In one place they have shown total outstanding as Rs. 69,27,691.87/- and in another place the outstanding has been shown as Rs. 18,83,206.87/-;

 

Photocopy of Possession Notice published in “Financial Express” as well as Bengali vernacular “Ekdin” on their Edition on 10-11-2021, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “H”

 

(xi)        Your applicant has been shown a defaulter but in reality She never have been provided with the alleged Loan Amount. It is a conspiracy of the Bank Officials, for which She has been impleaded as a party to the issue.

 

(xii)      The bank officials have sanctioned & withdrawn Rs. 4 Lakhs which has been given for survival during the pandemic from account no. 0700306740359. Besides your applicant have no idea about the account number 0700306742490, where Rs. 2.81 lakhs have been shown. Who has sanctioned and who has taken money, your applicant cannot tell.

 

(xiii)     Your applicant lodge such facts with the concerned Police Authority as well as the Bank Authority seeking thereby investigation into the matter of her complaint and to book the culprit being bank officials. Your applicant is victim who has been defrauded by bank officials.

 

Photocopy of Complaint to Police Authority and Bank Authority are collectively enclosed herewith and marked as Annexure – “I”.

 

(xiv)     Pursuant to grant of loan facility vide sanction letter dated 01/08/2018 by the Respondent to and in favour of your  applicant. The respondent took mortgaged of her one of the property. Full description of the said ownership property of the Applicant particularly described in a Schedule at the foot hereof and marked as Schedule “A”. It is pertinent to states that the Loan Account no. 0700250032294, has been assigned by the Defendant.

 

Photocopy of Sanctioned Letter dated 01-08-2018, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “J”.

 

(xv)       The Borrower being your applicant regularly paid to the Respondent, and whereas the said EMI directly taken by the Respondent Bank, through ECS from the account of the borrower. Borrower did not default in paying her EMI as assigned by the respondent bank.

 

Photocopy of Bank Statement showing payment of EMI, annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “K”.

 

(xvi)     In the month of April’ 2021, the respondent bank through its Letter dated 09-04-2021, sent Recovery notice stating inter alia your borrower as a defaulter and call upon your applicant for payment of Rs. 49,24,927/- ( Rupees Forty Nine Lakhs and Twenty Four Thousand and Nine Hundred Twenty Seven ) only, categorize such Loan account as NPA ( Nonperforming account) on 31-03-2021, and thereby threatened to initiate Legal proceeding against your applicant.

 

Photocopy of Recovery recall notice dated 09-04-2021, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “L”.

 

(xvii)   The Reserve Bank of India on 27-03-2020, issued Statement of Development and Regulatory Policies where inter alia certain regulatory measures were announced to mitigate the burden of debt servicing brought about by disruptions on account of COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the continuity of financial assertions, which extended time and again, by the RBI.

 

(xviii)  The Reserve Bank of India has issued such notification for the moratorium period at first for the three months commencing from the month of March’ 2020, April’ 2020, and May’ 2020, and consequently for another three months i.e. June’ 2020, July’ 2020, and August’ 2020. Thus a total period of Six months has been given as moratorium period were announced to mitigate the burden of debt servicing brought about by disruptions on account of COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the continuity of financial assertions, which extended time and again, by the RBI.

 

(xix)     The Applicant astonished while She received a notice on or about 05/11/2021 at the door of her residence wherein it was purportedly contended that one alleged notice dated 02-07-2021 by the Respondent purportedly under sub-Section 2 of Section 13 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act; 2002, calling upon the Applicant to discharge in full a total sum of Rs.69,27,691.87/- ( Rupees Sixty Nine Lakhs Twenty Seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety One and paise eighty seven ) only, was allegedly served upon the Applicant.

 

19.       That the applicant states and submit that Loan Amount under Loan account 0700306740359, and 0700306742490, were sanctioned but the Bank Officials have siphoned money from the applicant on different pretext. The applicant has already informed the concerned Bank Authority about taking away her money by some officers, but those allegations have not been investigated. As such the said sale notice is an outcome of a malafide intention and conduct.

 

20.       That the applicant states and submit that what amount the applicant received as Loan, She has already repaid the same. As such the applicant does not owe to the bank. Therefore the impugned Sale notice does not stand in the eye of law and it is an attempt of defendant to gain uncalled for money from the applicant.

 

21.       That the applicant states and submits that the concern Bank is not certain about the loan amount as they have claimed 69,27,691.87, and odd from the applicant which includes Rs. 18,83,206.87, arising out of loan account no. 0700306734640, it is surprising that the concerned respondent has published Sale notices of the mortgaged property due to non-payment of Loan amount arising out of Loan account nos. 0700306734640 and 0700250032294,  respectively. The said two loan accounts cannot be merged.

 

22. That the applicant states and submits that the defendant has declared the properties being the residential building as non-performing assets. But an asset is always appreciated not depreciated. Therefore definition of NPA is illusory and vague. On this context the Secured Asset always gives Protection to the Bank. Therefore the defendant should not be worried about payment of the Loan Amount specially when the defendant’s officials siphoned Loan Money and taken payment of the Loan Amount in the manner as stated herein above.

 

23. That the applicant states and submits that the applicant does not evade to carry on her burden and responsibility. It is only because of the looting money by Bank’s Officials in Pandemic Situation when the entire world has to come to a stand-still, the applicant has become a defaulter. Up-to pandemic, the applicant never default in paying her monthly installment.

 

24. That the Applicant states that the Defendants are deliberately trying to encroach the properties so that they can earn an added advantage over it as they have suppressed many material facts and even disobeyed the laws as enumerated in the ‘said Act’; such transpires from their performances which are being foreseen herein above with facts and evidence such illegal, concocted steps must categorically be directed for the ends of natural justice, furthermore no such arrogant, biased and disobedient steps be barred from taking into consideration by the Defendants as there is law above everyone.

 

25. That the applicant further submits that the purported steps and measures taken by the defendant against the applicant are full of undue haste and ill motive without applicability of the provisions as enumerated under the SERFESAI Act. The applicant craves to make appropriate submission on facts and law at the time of hearing.

 

26. That the applicant further pray that the illegal steps taken by the defendant under the blanket of the SERRFESAI Act and rules made thereunder are bad in law and thus it must be set aside and or quashed forthwith and status quo be maintained over the mortgaged property till the adjudication of this Lis, as the action of the defendants are ambiguous contrary to the settled provisions of the Law and procedure and or not in accordance with the were settled and established law and rules.

 

27. That the defendant did not follow the process of service as lay down by the provisions. This action of the defendant bank clearly shows the desperation of theirs to recover the money from the borrowers by any means possible. That the applicant submits that this kind of desperate actions by a financial institution like the defendant bank is very shameful as they are in as such higher position of power and plays a very important role in the daily life of the public they serve.

 

28. That the applicant hereby prays that the Hon’ble Tribunal may be pleased to pass an order quashing Third Sale Notice dated 27-03-2024, which has been received only on 05-04-2024, as the whole procedure totally based on negligence of the Bank and only to rectify their own mistakes which clearly shows the malaise intentions of the banking authority behaving more like a money lenders from the past days.

 

29. That unless the order/orders prayed by the applicant is passed by the Ld. Tribunal the applicant herein will suffer from the wrong doing of the defendant bank herein

 

30. That this interim application is made bona fide and for the end of justice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is therefore, most respectfully prayed as follows:-

 

a.   Declaration that the purported steps and measures taken by the Defendant under the provisions of the SARFEASI Act, 2002 is bad in law and be quashed;

 

b.   To set aside the notice of Sale being CS/MSD/Sale Notice/10/2023-24, dated 27/03/2024, posted by the Defendant Bank, Booked on 03/04/2024;

 

c.   To grant stay of Sale Notice dated 27/03/2024, staying operations or taking any further recourse by the authorized officer of the Defendant Bank ;

 

d.   To pass an order to set aside the Sale Notice being CS/MSD/Sale Notice/10/2023-24, dated 27-03-2024, posted by the Defendant Bank under Speed Post, Booked on 03/04/2024, in the interest of justice;

 

e.    An appropriate order of status-quo till the disposal of this case;

 

f.     For an exemplary cost may be imposed upon the Defendant Bank;

 

g.    An appropriate order prohibiting and or quashing the Defendant from giving or further effect and / or action in furtherance to the impugned Sale Notice dated 27-03-2024 and also restraining them from taking any further steps under the SARFEASI Act ;

 

h.   Such or other order may kindly also be passed as deemed fit and proper in the fact and circumstances of this case.

 

And for this act of kindness your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE “A” ABOVE REFERRED TO

 

Description of immovable property;

 

ALL that piece and parcel of the immovable property being at Mouza : Jan-Mahammadpur, J.L. no. 112, L.R. Khatian No. 2417, L.R. Dag no. 2503, measuring 3.50 decimal alongwith construction of Two storied building standing thereon within the limits of Hatinagar Gram Panchayat, Post Office – Ghorsala, Police Station – Raghunathganj, District – Murshidabad, Pin - 742102, West Bengal, bounded by :

On the North                 : Road

On the South                : House of Rasimuddin Mondal,

On the East                   : House of Marjina Bibi,

On the West                  : Bapi Sk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFIDAVIT

 

I, Hasna Bewa, Wife of Late Janaruddin Seikh, aged about 51 years, by faith Muslim, by Occupation Business, residing at premises being Village – Ustia, Post Office – Muktinagar, Police Station – Berahampore, District – Murshidabad, Pin – 742102, West Bengal, do here by solemnly affirm and declare as follows:-

 

1.   That I am the Applicant in the above case and I am well acquainted with the facts of the suit and I am competent to swear this Affidavit for and on behalf of the Applicant.

 

2.   That the statements made above in paragraphs are true to my knowledge as derived from the records.

 

 

That the rest are my humble submissions to the Hon’ble Debt Recovery Tribunal and I sign this Affidavit on the _________April’ 2024.

 

 

 

 

Signature

Identified by me

 

Advocate

 

                                                                  

Prepared in my Chamber,

 

Advocate.

Dated : _____April’ 2024.

Place : Kolkata.                                         

 

N O T A R Y

Negligence of State Bank of India Cost to compensate by Consumer Commission

 STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION WEST BENGAL 11A, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata - 700087 Complaint Case No. CC/377/2014 ( Date of Filing : 05 Nov 2014 ) 1. Sujay Bakshi S/o Sri Gour Chandra Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. 2. Smt. Lila Bakshi W/o Sri Sujay Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. ...........Complainant(s) Versus 1. State Bank of India Head office at 1, Strand Road, Block - B, Samridhi Bhavan, Kolkata - 700 001. 2. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Vill. & P.O. - Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata - 700 141. 3. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India Kolkata Branch, 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 001. 4. The Branch Manager, Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 071. ............Opp.Party(s) BEFORE: HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL PRESIDING MEMBER HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE MEMBER PRESENT: Dated : 19 Apr 2024 Final Order / Judgement Hon’ble Mrs. Soma Bhattacharjee, Member CC/377/2014 has been filed by Sri Sujoy Bakshi and Smt. Lila Bakshi against i. State Bank of India, ii. Branch Manager, Statement of India, Shibrampur Branch, iii. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India (presently known as Punjab National Bank) Kolkata Branch, iv. Branch Manager Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. under Section 17 of C.P. Act, 1986. The gist of the case is that the petitioner No. 1 is a driver by occupation and petitioner no. 2 is his wife. The petitioner No. 1 is the only earning member of his family. On account of urgent financial need the petitioner sold their property of 2 cottah land with two storied building lying on mouza Jagannathpur, Pargana Balia, Touzi No. 1523, J.L. no. 27, R.S. no. 76, under R.S. Dag no. 95, in R.S. Khatian No. 62, L.R. (Kri) Khatian no. 500 & 501, Plaza Housing Society, being plot no. 199, having holding no. 3916, Plaza Housing, Jagannathpur, Mahestala, District South 24 Parganas, to 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 2/4 one Sri Pappu Kumar Shaw, son of Sukhdeo Shaw, residing at premises being no. 22, Orphan Gang Road, Police Station Watgange, Kolkata – 700023. The purchaser obtained housing loan from M/s Dewan Housing Pvt. Ltd, following which respondent no. 4 issued cheque no. 000834 dt. 24.09.2014 for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakh) only drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises no. 4 Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani Kolkata 700001 in favour of the petitioners towards the payment of the consideration money or value of the property. The petitioners jointly maintain one saving Bank Account with the State Bank of India, Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Village & Post Office – Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata – 700141, being saving Bank Account no. 30691667417. The petitioners deposited the said cheque being no. 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001, for encashment of the cheque value. On 27 th day September, 2014, the banker of the petitioners being the respondent no. 2, herein credited Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs) only, instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, on clearing of the said cheque being no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001. Your petitioners were extremely astonished to know such clearance of lower amount of money. On enquiring about the clearing of their cheque with their banker i.e. SBI Shibrampur Branch the petitioners got to know that due to mistake of officials of SBI who sit for clearing a wrong entry of Rs. 2,00,000/- (two lakh) instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty lakh) had been made and the banker is trying to resolve such anomaly as early as possible and to credit the balance Rs. 18,00,000 (Eighteen Lakh) in the savings Bank account of the petitioners. Although the petitioners visited the branch of the respondent no. 2, SBI Shibrampur Branch on several occasions with a request to credit the balance amount of Rs. 18,00,000/- in their savings account, it was not done. On 31st day of October, 2014, the respondent no. 2, herein served to te complainant, one letter being reference no. BR17/156, dated 31.10.2014, captioned as Fate of Cheque No. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, stating inter alia as by mistake in CTS, amount was inserted as Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) against Cheque No. 000834, and the same was credited to the joint account of your petitioners, and given a copy of one another letter being reference no. BR17/151, dated 28.10.2014, addressed to the respondent no. 4, herein captioned as less payment Cheque no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, by Rs. 18,00,000/- ( Rupees Eighteen Lakhs) only, presented on 26.09.2014, stating inter alia about mistake and requesting for balance payment thereof, with a xerox copy of said cheque and entry of the bank. However, when the complainants did not get any redress from SBI Shibrampur Branch, they were compelled to file CC/377/2014. Notices were duly served upon all OPs. 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 3/4 OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 filed their W.V and evidence on affidavit but OP no. 4 did not file any evidence. The evidences submitted by the complainant is similar to his complaint petition while the evidences filed by OP nos. 1,2 and 3 are replica of their W.V. OP no. 4 did not participate in replying to questionnaire of the complainant. Heard the argument of the Ld. Counsels of the complainants, OP nos. 1, 2 & 3. On considering the written documents furnished by OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 it appears that vide letter dt. 28.10.2014 to Dewan Housing, SBI Shibrampur branch has admitted the lapse on their part. In his argument the Ld. Advocate for the complainant has cited the following judgments: In (1991) 1 CPJ 362 (State Bank of Hyderabad v. Shri Bairi Lingam ), it has been held that there may be deficiency in banking services to be rendered by the bank owing to its fault in the due performance of promise to finance. In Filmalaya Pvt. Ltd. v. Corporation Bank, reported in (1992) 1 CPJ 117, negligence on the part of an employee of the bank was held to be a case falling within the purview of the said Act. In the said decision it was further held that the bank is liable to make good the loss resulted from its deficiency in service. In Bank of India v. H.C.L. Ltd. reported in (1993) 3 CPR 30, non- furnishing of payment as against bank guarantee was held to give rise to a cause of action for filing a complaint under the said Act. It was held that a person in whose favour bank guarantee is furnished is also a beneficiary thereof although no privity of contract exists between the bank and such person.” The Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has argued that SBI Shibrampur Branch has been totally negligent and has resorted to unfair trade practice by crediting only Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) to the account of the petitioners when the actual value of cheque no 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch. Petitioners had been compelled to sell their dwelling house as they were in dire need of money. Under such circumstances they have undergone severe pecuniary loss and mental harassment. The petitioners have prayed for payment of the balance of Rs. 18,00,000/-, Rs. 10,00,000/- towards pecuniary damages and Rs. 10,00,000/- for mental harassment and also litigation cost. The defense case of the OP no. 2 SBI Shibrampur is that they had made a bonafide mistake in inserting an amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- for purpose of CTS clearing as per RBI guidelines. However, they had tried to sort out the matter as early as possible by writing letters and emails to UBI and also the complainants and they credited the balance amount of Rs.18,00,000/- on 09.02.2015 to the Savings Bank joint account no. 30691667417 of the petitioners in SBI Shibrampur. The defense of OP no. 3 is that the complainants are not consumers in respect of UBI since they do not maintain any account with them. Hence there is no question of deficiency of service on their part vis a vis the complainants. The defense of OP no. 4 being that since the entire Rs. 20,00,000/- has been debited from their account they have no liability towards the complainants. Heard and considered the submission of the Ld. Counsels of all parties. Considered the documents annexed. On appraisal of all W.Vs, evidences, and notes of argument and in terms of the position of law cited, it appears that both SBI Shibrampur branch and UBI are deficient and negligent in 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 4/4 providing service to the petitioners in terms of C.P. Act, 1986. The complainants were in financial crisis for which they had sold their house. On being paid only Rs. 2,00,000/- against total amount of Rs. 20,00,000/- the complainants have faced both pecuniary harassment and mental agony. The balance Rs. 18,00,000/- was credited to their bank account on 09.02.2015 although they had deposited the cheque with their account on 27.09..2014. Although SBI Shibrampur had wrongly mentioned Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs) when they sent the cheque for clearing to UBI, Kolkata Branch, UBI Kolkata Branch was also negligent, since a scanned copy of the cheque was available with them along with the clearing documents. UBI Kolkata Branch could have verified the amount that required to be cleared in favour of the payee. Hence it is ordered The CC/377/2014 is allowed on contest. The OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 2 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 3 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP nos. 2 and 3 are directed to comply the above mentioned directions within a period of 60 days from the pronouncement of this order. If the OPs fail to comply with this order within the stipulated period, the complainants are at liberty to put the order into execution. CC/377/2014 is disposed of accordingly. [HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL] PRESIDING MEMBER [HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE] MEMBER

Compensation of Rupees Two Lakhs imposed by Consumer Commission on State Bank of India

 STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION WEST BENGAL 11A, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata - 700087 Complaint Case No. CC/377/2014 ( Date of Filing : 05 Nov 2014 ) 1. Sujay Bakshi S/o Sri Gour Chandra Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. 2. Smt. Lila Bakshi W/o Sri Sujay Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. ...........Complainant(s) Versus 1. State Bank of India Head office at 1, Strand Road, Block - B, Samridhi Bhavan, Kolkata - 700 001. 2. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Vill. & P.O. - Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata - 700 141. 3. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India Kolkata Branch, 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 001. 4. The Branch Manager, Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 071. ............Opp.Party(s) BEFORE: HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL PRESIDING MEMBER HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE MEMBER PRESENT: Dated : 19 Apr 2024 Final Order / Judgement Hon’ble Mrs. Soma Bhattacharjee, Member CC/377/2014 has been filed by Sri Sujoy Bakshi and Smt. Lila Bakshi against i. State Bank of India, ii. Branch Manager, Statement of India, Shibrampur Branch, iii. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India (presently known as Punjab National Bank) Kolkata Branch, iv. Branch Manager Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. under Section 17 of C.P. Act, 1986. The gist of the case is that the petitioner No. 1 is a driver by occupation and petitioner no. 2 is his wife. The petitioner No. 1 is the only earning member of his family. On account of urgent financial need the petitioner sold their property of 2 cottah land with two storied building lying on mouza Jagannathpur, Pargana Balia, Touzi No. 1523, J.L. no. 27, R.S. no. 76, under R.S. Dag no. 95, in R.S. Khatian No. 62, L.R. (Kri) Khatian no. 500 & 501, Plaza Housing Society, being plot no. 199, having holding no. 3916, Plaza Housing, Jagannathpur, Mahestala, District South 24 Parganas, to 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 2/4 one Sri Pappu Kumar Shaw, son of Sukhdeo Shaw, residing at premises being no. 22, Orphan Gang Road, Police Station Watgange, Kolkata – 700023. The purchaser obtained housing loan from M/s Dewan Housing Pvt. Ltd, following which respondent no. 4 issued cheque no. 000834 dt. 24.09.2014 for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakh) only drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises no. 4 Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani Kolkata 700001 in favour of the petitioners towards the payment of the consideration money or value of the property. The petitioners jointly maintain one saving Bank Account with the State Bank of India, Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Village & Post Office – Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata – 700141, being saving Bank Account no. 30691667417. The petitioners deposited the said cheque being no. 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001, for encashment of the cheque value. On 27 th day September, 2014, the banker of the petitioners being the respondent no. 2, herein credited Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs) only, instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, on clearing of the said cheque being no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001. Your petitioners were extremely astonished to know such clearance of lower amount of money. On enquiring about the clearing of their cheque with their banker i.e. SBI Shibrampur Branch the petitioners got to know that due to mistake of officials of SBI who sit for clearing a wrong entry of Rs. 2,00,000/- (two lakh) instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty lakh) had been made and the banker is trying to resolve such anomaly as early as possible and to credit the balance Rs. 18,00,000 (Eighteen Lakh) in the savings Bank account of the petitioners. Although the petitioners visited the branch of the respondent no. 2, SBI Shibrampur Branch on several occasions with a request to credit the balance amount of Rs. 18,00,000/- in their savings account, it was not done. On 31st day of October, 2014, the respondent no. 2, herein served to te complainant, one letter being reference no. BR17/156, dated 31.10.2014, captioned as Fate of Cheque No. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, stating inter alia as by mistake in CTS, amount was inserted as Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) against Cheque No. 000834, and the same was credited to the joint account of your petitioners, and given a copy of one another letter being reference no. BR17/151, dated 28.10.2014, addressed to the respondent no. 4, herein captioned as less payment Cheque no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, by Rs. 18,00,000/- ( Rupees Eighteen Lakhs) only, presented on 26.09.2014, stating inter alia about mistake and requesting for balance payment thereof, with a xerox copy of said cheque and entry of the bank. However, when the complainants did not get any redress from SBI Shibrampur Branch, they were compelled to file CC/377/2014. Notices were duly served upon all OPs. 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 3/4 OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 filed their W.V and evidence on affidavit but OP no. 4 did not file any evidence. The evidences submitted by the complainant is similar to his complaint petition while the evidences filed by OP nos. 1,2 and 3 are replica of their W.V. OP no. 4 did not participate in replying to questionnaire of the complainant. Heard the argument of the Ld. Counsels of the complainants, OP nos. 1, 2 & 3. On considering the written documents furnished by OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 it appears that vide letter dt. 28.10.2014 to Dewan Housing, SBI Shibrampur branch has admitted the lapse on their part. In his argument the Ld. Advocate for the complainant has cited the following judgments: In (1991) 1 CPJ 362 (State Bank of Hyderabad v. Shri Bairi Lingam ), it has been held that there may be deficiency in banking services to be rendered by the bank owing to its fault in the due performance of promise to finance. In Filmalaya Pvt. Ltd. v. Corporation Bank, reported in (1992) 1 CPJ 117, negligence on the part of an employee of the bank was held to be a case falling within the purview of the said Act. In the said decision it was further held that the bank is liable to make good the loss resulted from its deficiency in service. In Bank of India v. H.C.L. Ltd. reported in (1993) 3 CPR 30, non- furnishing of payment as against bank guarantee was held to give rise to a cause of action for filing a complaint under the said Act. It was held that a person in whose favour bank guarantee is furnished is also a beneficiary thereof although no privity of contract exists between the bank and such person.” The Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has argued that SBI Shibrampur Branch has been totally negligent and has resorted to unfair trade practice by crediting only Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) to the account of the petitioners when the actual value of cheque no 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch. Petitioners had been compelled to sell their dwelling house as they were in dire need of money. Under such circumstances they have undergone severe pecuniary loss and mental harassment. The petitioners have prayed for payment of the balance of Rs. 18,00,000/-, Rs. 10,00,000/- towards pecuniary damages and Rs. 10,00,000/- for mental harassment and also litigation cost. The defense case of the OP no. 2 SBI Shibrampur is that they had made a bonafide mistake in inserting an amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- for purpose of CTS clearing as per RBI guidelines. However, they had tried to sort out the matter as early as possible by writing letters and emails to UBI and also the complainants and they credited the balance amount of Rs.18,00,000/- on 09.02.2015 to the Savings Bank joint account no. 30691667417 of the petitioners in SBI Shibrampur. The defense of OP no. 3 is that the complainants are not consumers in respect of UBI since they do not maintain any account with them. Hence there is no question of deficiency of service on their part vis a vis the complainants. The defense of OP no. 4 being that since the entire Rs. 20,00,000/- has been debited from their account they have no liability towards the complainants. Heard and considered the submission of the Ld. Counsels of all parties. Considered the documents annexed. On appraisal of all W.Vs, evidences, and notes of argument and in terms of the position of law cited, it appears that both SBI Shibrampur branch and UBI are deficient and negligent in 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 4/4 providing service to the petitioners in terms of C.P. Act, 1986. The complainants were in financial crisis for which they had sold their house. On being paid only Rs. 2,00,000/- against total amount of Rs. 20,00,000/- the complainants have faced both pecuniary harassment and mental agony. The balance Rs. 18,00,000/- was credited to their bank account on 09.02.2015 although they had deposited the cheque with their account on 27.09..2014. Although SBI Shibrampur had wrongly mentioned Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs) when they sent the cheque for clearing to UBI, Kolkata Branch, UBI Kolkata Branch was also negligent, since a scanned copy of the cheque was available with them along with the clearing documents. UBI Kolkata Branch could have verified the amount that required to be cleared in favour of the payee. Hence it is ordered The CC/377/2014 is allowed on contest. The OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 2 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 3 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP nos. 2 and 3 are directed to comply the above mentioned directions within a period of 60 days from the pronouncement of this order. If the OPs fail to comply with this order within the stipulated period, the complainants are at liberty to put the order into execution. CC/377/2014 is disposed of accordingly. [HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL] PRESIDING MEMBER [HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE] MEMBER

Consumer Court asks negligent State Bank of India to Pay Compensation to its Account Holders

 STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION WEST BENGAL 11A, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata - 700087 Complaint Case No. CC/377/2014 ( Date of Filing : 05 Nov 2014 ) 1. Sujay Bakshi S/o Sri Gour Chandra Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. 2. Smt. Lila Bakshi W/o Sri Sujay Bakshi, 11, Harekrishna Kongar Lane, Kalipur, P.S. - Parnasree, Kolkata - 700 061. ...........Complainant(s) Versus 1. State Bank of India Head office at 1, Strand Road, Block - B, Samridhi Bhavan, Kolkata - 700 001. 2. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Vill. & P.O. - Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata - 700 141. 3. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India Kolkata Branch, 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 001. 4. The Branch Manager, Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata - 700 071. ............Opp.Party(s) BEFORE: HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL PRESIDING MEMBER HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE MEMBER PRESENT: Dated : 19 Apr 2024 Final Order / Judgement Hon’ble Mrs. Soma Bhattacharjee, Member CC/377/2014 has been filed by Sri Sujoy Bakshi and Smt. Lila Bakshi against i. State Bank of India, ii. Branch Manager, Statement of India, Shibrampur Branch, iii. The Branch Manager, United Bank of India (presently known as Punjab National Bank) Kolkata Branch, iv. Branch Manager Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. under Section 17 of C.P. Act, 1986. The gist of the case is that the petitioner No. 1 is a driver by occupation and petitioner no. 2 is his wife. The petitioner No. 1 is the only earning member of his family. On account of urgent financial need the petitioner sold their property of 2 cottah land with two storied building lying on mouza Jagannathpur, Pargana Balia, Touzi No. 1523, J.L. no. 27, R.S. no. 76, under R.S. Dag no. 95, in R.S. Khatian No. 62, L.R. (Kri) Khatian no. 500 & 501, Plaza Housing Society, being plot no. 199, having holding no. 3916, Plaza Housing, Jagannathpur, Mahestala, District South 24 Parganas, to 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 2/4 one Sri Pappu Kumar Shaw, son of Sukhdeo Shaw, residing at premises being no. 22, Orphan Gang Road, Police Station Watgange, Kolkata – 700023. The purchaser obtained housing loan from M/s Dewan Housing Pvt. Ltd, following which respondent no. 4 issued cheque no. 000834 dt. 24.09.2014 for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakh) only drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises no. 4 Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani Kolkata 700001 in favour of the petitioners towards the payment of the consideration money or value of the property. The petitioners jointly maintain one saving Bank Account with the State Bank of India, Shibrampur Branch Janavilla, Village & Post Office – Joteshibrampur, Biren Roy Road West, Kolkata – 700141, being saving Bank Account no. 30691667417. The petitioners deposited the said cheque being no. 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001, for encashment of the cheque value. On 27 th day September, 2014, the banker of the petitioners being the respondent no. 2, herein credited Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs) only, instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, on clearing of the said cheque being no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch, at premises being no. 4, Narendra Chandra Dutta Sarani, Kolkata – 700001. Your petitioners were extremely astonished to know such clearance of lower amount of money. On enquiring about the clearing of their cheque with their banker i.e. SBI Shibrampur Branch the petitioners got to know that due to mistake of officials of SBI who sit for clearing a wrong entry of Rs. 2,00,000/- (two lakh) instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty lakh) had been made and the banker is trying to resolve such anomaly as early as possible and to credit the balance Rs. 18,00,000 (Eighteen Lakh) in the savings Bank account of the petitioners. Although the petitioners visited the branch of the respondent no. 2, SBI Shibrampur Branch on several occasions with a request to credit the balance amount of Rs. 18,00,000/- in their savings account, it was not done. On 31st day of October, 2014, the respondent no. 2, herein served to te complainant, one letter being reference no. BR17/156, dated 31.10.2014, captioned as Fate of Cheque No. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, stating inter alia as by mistake in CTS, amount was inserted as Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) against Cheque No. 000834, and the same was credited to the joint account of your petitioners, and given a copy of one another letter being reference no. BR17/151, dated 28.10.2014, addressed to the respondent no. 4, herein captioned as less payment Cheque no. 000834, dated 24.09.2014, by Rs. 18,00,000/- ( Rupees Eighteen Lakhs) only, presented on 26.09.2014, stating inter alia about mistake and requesting for balance payment thereof, with a xerox copy of said cheque and entry of the bank. However, when the complainants did not get any redress from SBI Shibrampur Branch, they were compelled to file CC/377/2014. Notices were duly served upon all OPs. 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 3/4 OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 filed their W.V and evidence on affidavit but OP no. 4 did not file any evidence. The evidences submitted by the complainant is similar to his complaint petition while the evidences filed by OP nos. 1,2 and 3 are replica of their W.V. OP no. 4 did not participate in replying to questionnaire of the complainant. Heard the argument of the Ld. Counsels of the complainants, OP nos. 1, 2 & 3. On considering the written documents furnished by OP nos. 1, 2 and 3 it appears that vide letter dt. 28.10.2014 to Dewan Housing, SBI Shibrampur branch has admitted the lapse on their part. In his argument the Ld. Advocate for the complainant has cited the following judgments: In (1991) 1 CPJ 362 (State Bank of Hyderabad v. Shri Bairi Lingam ), it has been held that there may be deficiency in banking services to be rendered by the bank owing to its fault in the due performance of promise to finance. In Filmalaya Pvt. Ltd. v. Corporation Bank, reported in (1992) 1 CPJ 117, negligence on the part of an employee of the bank was held to be a case falling within the purview of the said Act. In the said decision it was further held that the bank is liable to make good the loss resulted from its deficiency in service. In Bank of India v. H.C.L. Ltd. reported in (1993) 3 CPR 30, non- furnishing of payment as against bank guarantee was held to give rise to a cause of action for filing a complaint under the said Act. It was held that a person in whose favour bank guarantee is furnished is also a beneficiary thereof although no privity of contract exists between the bank and such person.” The Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has argued that SBI Shibrampur Branch has been totally negligent and has resorted to unfair trade practice by crediting only Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two lakh) to the account of the petitioners when the actual value of cheque no 000834, dt. 24.09.2014, for Rs. 20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs) only, drawn on United Bank of India, Kolkata Branch. Petitioners had been compelled to sell their dwelling house as they were in dire need of money. Under such circumstances they have undergone severe pecuniary loss and mental harassment. The petitioners have prayed for payment of the balance of Rs. 18,00,000/-, Rs. 10,00,000/- towards pecuniary damages and Rs. 10,00,000/- for mental harassment and also litigation cost. The defense case of the OP no. 2 SBI Shibrampur is that they had made a bonafide mistake in inserting an amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- for purpose of CTS clearing as per RBI guidelines. However, they had tried to sort out the matter as early as possible by writing letters and emails to UBI and also the complainants and they credited the balance amount of Rs.18,00,000/- on 09.02.2015 to the Savings Bank joint account no. 30691667417 of the petitioners in SBI Shibrampur. The defense of OP no. 3 is that the complainants are not consumers in respect of UBI since they do not maintain any account with them. Hence there is no question of deficiency of service on their part vis a vis the complainants. The defense of OP no. 4 being that since the entire Rs. 20,00,000/- has been debited from their account they have no liability towards the complainants. Heard and considered the submission of the Ld. Counsels of all parties. Considered the documents annexed. On appraisal of all W.Vs, evidences, and notes of argument and in terms of the position of law cited, it appears that both SBI Shibrampur branch and UBI are deficient and negligent in 4/20/24, 3:15 AM Cause Title/Judgement-Entry https://cms.nic.in/ncdrcusersWeb/GetPdfCaseStaus.do?method=GetPdfCaseStaus&cid=4/0/CC/377/2014&dtOfHearing=2024-04-19 4/4 providing service to the petitioners in terms of C.P. Act, 1986. The complainants were in financial crisis for which they had sold their house. On being paid only Rs. 2,00,000/- against total amount of Rs. 20,00,000/- the complainants have faced both pecuniary harassment and mental agony. The balance Rs. 18,00,000/- was credited to their bank account on 09.02.2015 although they had deposited the cheque with their account on 27.09..2014. Although SBI Shibrampur had wrongly mentioned Rs. 2,00,000/- instead of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs) when they sent the cheque for clearing to UBI, Kolkata Branch, UBI Kolkata Branch was also negligent, since a scanned copy of the cheque was available with them along with the clearing documents. UBI Kolkata Branch could have verified the amount that required to be cleared in favour of the payee. Hence it is ordered The CC/377/2014 is allowed on contest. The OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 2 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 2 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainants a simple interest @ 12% p.a. on Rs. 18,00,000/- for the period 27.09.2014 to 08.02.2015. OP no. 3 is to pay to the complainants a compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- for pecuniary and mental harassment. OP no. 3 is directed to pay to the complainant a litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/-. OP nos. 2 and 3 are directed to comply the above mentioned directions within a period of 60 days from the pronouncement of this order. If the OPs fail to comply with this order within the stipulated period, the complainants are at liberty to put the order into execution. CC/377/2014 is disposed of accordingly. [HON'BLE MR. AJEYA MATILAL] PRESIDING MEMBER [HON'BLE MRS. SOMA BHATTACHARJEE] MEMBER