S.N.PANIGRAHI Vs. ANDHRA BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal raises interesting dispute as to the ancient language of this land, namely, Sanskrit acknowledged as one of the languages in the Constitution of India. The appellant was having a Bank Account with the respondent Bank and according to him, he had been signing and filling up the cheques in Sanskrit language since 1987 and suddenly in 1991, one Bank official from the southern part of the country raised objection to the cheques having been signed in Sanskrit and declined to honour the said cheques. On 31.12.1991, the appellant applied for UTI Master Plus and enclosed five cheques of Rs. 50,000/ - each duly signed in Sanskrit but on the insistence of the said official appellant filled up the cheque in Hindi language also. Still these cheques were not cleared by the respondent on the ground that official language of communication as prescribed by the official language (Use for official purposes of the Union) Rule, 1976 was either Hindi of English and not ˜Sanskrit.

(2.) THE question here is not whether the respondent Bank declined to honour the cheques as comparing of signature of the appellant in Sanskrit language with those appearing in the account opening form was not possible but on insistence of the officials of the respondent Bank, the respondent appellant signed the cheques in Hindi also but the cheques were not accepted. Main grievance of the appellant is that he could not understand what made the officials of the respondent Bank to dishonour the cheques signed in Sanskrit language when during the last 4/5 years all cheques issued and signed by the appellant in Sanskrit language were being cleared.

(3.) FEELING hurt by the action of the respondent -Bank, the appellant filed complaint before the District Forum seeking compensation on account of deficiency in service on the part of the respondent -bank and direction to the respondent -bank to honour the cheques duly filled and signed by him in Sanskrit as well as in Hindi language. However, the District Forum dismissed his complaint on the premises that it was based on hypothetic idea though the importance of the Sanskrit language was emphasized and concern was shown that even after 50 years of our independence, no work has been done to propagate the use of this language.