Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 26: Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a bank to reimburse the entire amount which had been usurped by fraudsters by opening an account in the bank fraudulently, to a customer. In this case, the concerned had misrepresented themselves and opened savings bank account in the bank, and encashed cheque standing in the name of the said customer.

Dr Sheela Pai from Manipal, who presently works as medical practitioner at Dubai, had received a cheque towards refund of income tax amounting to Rs 20.21 lac. This cheque was to be deposited in her account with Syndicate Bank Manipal. However, some fraudsters produced photocopy of general power of attorney issued in their favour by Dr Sheela Pai about 20 years back, and succeeded in opening an account in her name in Kukkikatte branch of Vijaya Bank on June 5, 2008. After this cheque was cleared, they withdrew the entire amount. The bone of contention was that this general power of attorney had been cancelled sometime after it was issued by Dr Pai.

After she came to know that she was cheated, Dr Sheela Pai complained to the above branch of Vijaya Bank and its regional office about this illegal transaction. When the issue remained without satisfactory settlement, she complained to the chairman and managing director of the bank. Vigilance cell of the bank which looked into the issue concluded that this was a fraud. Police complaints were filed against the persons involved. Still, the money that was rightfully due to her continued to elude Dr Sheela Pai.

Dr Pai later filed a complaint in the court of the state consumer disputes redressal commission. The court has since passed an order, instructing the bank to reimburse the entire amount mentioned above to Dr Sheela Pai.