Chandigarh cousumer forum was dealing with plea of senior citizen who was requesting bank to release his frozen amount over fraud complaint. (AI-generated Image)The Chandigarh District Consumer Commission directed HDFC Bank to release Rs 2 lakh frozen amount after a senior citizen was duped by fraudsters posing as police officers and claiming his son had been detained and awarded Rs 20,000 as compensation.Noting that a senior citizen has been compelled to make numerous visits to the bank and has suffered harassment on account of the inaction of the bank, a bench of president Amrinder Singh Sidhu and member Brij Mohan Sharma awarded Rs 20,000 as compensation and litigation costs.“The continued retention of the complainant’s money without any explanation or resolution, despite repeated approaches made by him, amounts to a deficiency in service. The complainant, a senior citizen, has been compelled to make numerous visits to the bank and has suffered inconvenience, mental agony and harassment on account of the inaction of the bank,” the commission said in an order dated June 9.‘Repeated requests, bank has not released amount’Upon subsequently verifying the actual facts from his son, the complainant immediately approached the concerned bank branch and got the transferred amount frozen.He also lodged a report with the police authorities and submitted the relevant documents to the bank.Also Read | Borrower dies, insurer refunds premium instead of settling death claim: HDFC Life ordered to clear Rs 27 lakh loanThe complainant has placed on record the copy of the complaint lodged with the police and a copy of his bank account statement for the relevant period.Despite repeated requests and completion of requisite formalities, the amount has not been released to him.The bank did not appear to contest the claim of the complainant and preferred to proceed ex parte.This act of the bank draws an adverse inference against it.The non-appearance of the bank shows that it has nothing to say in its defence against the allegations made by the complainant.There is no material on record to show that the complainant was informed of any legal impediment, restraint order or any other valid reason preventing the release of the amount in question.It is not disputed that the amount originally belonged to the complainant and that the complainant had promptly reported the matter to the bank and the police authorities.Once the complainant had completed the formalities required by the bank, it was incumbent upon the bank to take a reasoned decision regarding his request and communicate the same to him within a reasonable period.Son’s fake arrest scam and transfer of moneyThe complainant received a fraudulent phone call from unknown persons who falsely claimed that his son was in their custody after narcotic substances had allegedly been recovered from him. The miscreants further made the complainant speak to a person impersonating his son, who mimicked his voice and manner of speaking.Under threats that his son would face serious consequences, the complainant was induced to transfer Rs 2,00,000 to the bank account of one Mihar Kumar Gupta. Acting under fear and distress, the complainant transferred the amount through a bank branch at Banur.Subsequently, upon speaking with his son, he discovered that the entire story was false and that he had been cheated. The complainant immediately approached the bank branch and succeeded in getting the transferred amount frozen. He also lodged a complaint with the police and furnished a copy of it to the bank authorities.Bank’s lethargy in releasing money laterThereafter, the complainant repeatedly approached the HDFC Bank authorities seeking release of the frozen amount. Despite assurances from the bank on multiple occasions, the amount has not been released to the complainant. The complainant also submitted written letters to the bank requesting the release of the frozen amount. However, the bank authorities failed to take appropriate action.Story continues below this adThe complainant’s account is maintained at the HDFC Bank branch situated in Chandigarh. Although the amount was frozen through another branch in accordance with banking guidelines relating to fraudulent transactions, the bank has failed to facilitate its release through the concerned branch.Also Read | Policyholder dies, insurer rejects claim over pre-existing diseases: ICICI Pru ordered to pay Rs 8.5 lakh to widowAlleging that this act of the bank amounts to a deficiency in service, a consumer complaint has been filed by the complainant with a prayer to direct the bank to release the amount to the account of the complainant, compensation for mental agony and harassment, and costs of litigation.Jagriti Rai works with The Indian Express, where she writes from the vital intersection of law, gender, and society. Working on a dedicated legal desk, she focuses on translating complex legal frameworks into relatable narratives, exploring how the judiciary and legislative shifts empower and shape the consciousness of citizens in their daily lives. Expertise Socio-Legal Specialization: Jagriti brings a critical, human-centric perspective to modern social debates. Her work focuses on how legal developments impact gender rights, marginalized communities, and individual liberties. Diverse Editorial Background: With over 4 years of experience in digital and mainstream media, she has developed a versatile reporting style. Her previous tenures at high-traffic platforms like The Lallantop and Dainik Bhaskar provided her with deep insights into the information needs of a diverse Indian audience. Academic Foundations: Post-Graduate in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), India’s premier media training institute. Master of Arts in Ancient History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), providing her with the historical and cultural context necessary to analyze long-standing social structures and legal evolutions. ... Read More