BIJAYA KUMAR SAHU Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Brief facts are, that Petitioner hired a Safety Locker No.32 provided by respondent. On 26.4.96 at 2.00 PM when petitioner opened his locker, he noticed that all the valuable documents and certificate excluding the ornaments kept in the locker were damaged by white ants, which include Indira Vikas Patras worth of Rs.25,000/- which on maturity would fetch Rs.50,000/-. Immediately after discovery of the damage he informed the respondent and requested it to ascertain the damage and give certificate to this effect.

(2.) On 30.4.1996, petitioner received a letter from respondent, requesting him to meet the bank authority with locker key. But no damage certificate was issued by the respondent. Again on 28.8.1996, petitioner received another letter from respondent, requesting him to withdraw his valuable from the locker temporarily for enabling servicing of the locker by manufacturer of the locker. The said letter was issued on 8.8.96 but was registered on 22.8.96, which the petitioner received on 28.8.96. The claim of petitioner was repudiated by the respondent.

(3.) Alleging deficiency in service on the part of respondent, petitioner filed Consumer Complaint No.39 of 1997, before District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kalahandi, (for short, 'District Forum') praying that respondent be directed to pay to the petitioner for loss of I.V.P.s worth of Rs.25,000/- and loss of income from IVPs after maturity of Rs.25,000/-, total of which comes to Rs.50,000/- . In addition, petitioner also claimed litigation cost of Rs.1,000/-.