Banks told to pay for failed transaction

Mumbai: In a breather for a customer, from whose account Rs 10,000 was deducted despite a failed ATM transaction in 2012, a consumers’ forum has directed two public sector banks to refund the amount to him.

The forum, in its order on the application filed by Achhelal Vishwakarma, observed that the banks indulged in “unfair trade practices” as they did not provide CCTV footage of the ATM.

Mr Vishwakarma was holding a savings account in the Mazagaon branch of Canara Bank. In March 2012, he tried to withdraw Rs 10,000 from his account, using an ATM card. He tried to withdraw the amount from Union Bank of India’s ATS but no cash was dispensed from the ATM even though the amount was deducted from his account.

When all means to get his money back failed, Mr Vishwakarma filed a complaint with the south Mumbai district consumer dispute redress forum against Canara Bank, its Mazagaon branch manager, and Union Bank of India.

The forum observed that the bank did not produce the relevant CCTV footage of the ATM at the relevant time. The forum then directed them to refund Rs 10,000 to the complainant. It also asked them to pay Rs 7,500 as compensation for the mental agony caused and Rs 5,000 as litigation cost.