Consumer forum asks HDFC Bank to pay Rs 7,000

Fatehgarh Sahib, Jul 14 (UNI) The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Mandi Gobindgarh branch of the HDFC Bank to pay Rs 7,000 as compensation to a consumer for causing mental agony and harassment.

Sham Lal Guptam, proprietor of Sirhind-based Balaji Enterprises, had filed a complaint in the consumer forum alleging that an agent of the bank came to him and assured him that he would be provided with a cash credit limit of Rs 10 lakh. On his assurance, Mr Guptam completed all the formalities and gave a check of Rs 2,245 dated April 17, 2007 as processing fee. The amount was duly transferred to the bank account. However, even after one month the bank did not issued the credit limit to him.

The Consumer Forum sent a notice to the bank but no one appeared on behalf of the bank so the bank was proceeded against ex-party.

The forum directed the bank to pay Rs 7,000 to Mr Guptam for causing him mental agony and harassment and Rs 500 as cost of the complaint.

The Forum President also directed the bank to process the case of the complainant and pass final order for providing facility of cash credit limit of Rs 10 lakh within 15 days from the receipt of the copy of order.

The Forum also observed that in case the complainant was not satisfied with the final order passed by the bank, he was permitted to challenge the same by filing a separate complaint.

UNI XC PS GT KN1637