PNB Vs. RUPA MAHAJAN PAHWA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mrs Rupa Mahajan Pahwa filed a consumer complaint before District Forum Sheikh Sarai, Phase-II New Delhi against Petitioner/Punjab National Bank. Her complaint was that the bank had issued a duplicate passbook to a 'third person'. The savings bank account in question was in the joint name of Rupa and her husband Ajay Pahwa. Apparently, the bank had issued the duplicate pass book at a time when relationship between her and her husband had soured to the point of issue of a divorce notice from the husband.

(2.) As per the complaint, the husband had deserted the complainant and their infant daughter, without any financial support. She was therefore, seeking award of maintenance through court proceedings against her husband. Allegedly, issue of a duplicate passbook by the bank resulted in release of all the confidential financial details of the complainant, without her authority and as per para 12 of the Complaint

(3.) It is evident from the contents of the Complaint that the Complainant perceives the conduct of the Bank in issuing a duplicate passbook, without her knowledge and consent, as the direct cause for reduction in the quantum of relief granted to her in the divorce proceedings. The prayer in the complaint has quantified this amount as Rs.7 lakhs which has been claimed as compensation.