The South II District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that as per the records placed before it, an excess amount of Rs 2,228 was debited from the bank account of the borrower and the amount was refunded by the bank only after filing the complaint.
"The bank checked its system and refunded the said amount on September 17, 2012 after filing of this complaint. We hold it deficient in service.
"We, therefore, direct the bank to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for harassment... We further direct it to pay a sum of Rs 5,000 as cost of litigation," the bench presided by M C Mehra said.
The complainant, R D Bhargava, an ex-employee of Canara Bank had said in his plea that he had fully repaid the housing loan taken by him but the bank had debited an excess amount of Rs 2,228 from his account towards interest and had also demanded Rs 7,000 as amount overdue.
The bank had refused to issue him a no dues certificate till he paid the amount demanded, Bhargava had alleged.
The bank had been proceeded against ex-parte and its counsel had appeared before the forum at the time of final arguments when it had handed over the excess amount debited from Bhargava's account.
