SUPERINTENDENT GENERAL POST OFFICE Vs. JAGMOHAN LAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is by the Superintendent, General Post Office, Kapurthala challenging order of District Forum, Jalandhar dated August 20,1996 whereby the complaint filed by Jagmohan Lal and Smt. Santosh Kumari was allowed with the direction to the Post Office to pay interest to the complain ant @ 18% p. a. w. e. f. May 18,1993. A sum of Rs.500/- as costs was also allowed,

(2.) The complainants' case was brief. They had a joint account with Post Office, Bapa Rai Kalan, Nakodar, District Jalandhar wherein they had deposited Rs.20,000/- on May 18,1990 for a period of three years as term deposit account. The amount matured on May 18, 1993. The interest was paid yearly. Since on maturity the amount was not paid, the complaint was filed on October 29,1993 before the District Forum. The complainant had to start construction of the house and he suffered monetary loss as the amount was not made available. He claimed Rs.15,000/- as compensation for the heavy loss suffered. In the reply filed by the Post Office, the factum of deposit having been made was admitted, The case was alleged to have been sent to the higher authorities for sanction. It was alleged that T. L. Kaila had misappropriated the amount from the accounts of the Post Office. The amount of interest was not accounted for in the books of the Post Office. In the rejoinder filed by the complainant, they reiterated their claim. Jagmohan Lal filed his own affidavit in support of the allegation made in the complaint. The Department during the pendency of the complaint paid a sum of Rs.27,039/as mentioned in the letter dated March 14, 1996 (page 21 of the District Forum Record ). The details of the amount paid are as under : Principal Rs .20,000/- Interest due for 3 years Rs .6.465/- Interest @ 5.5% for 2 years Rs .2,674/- Total Rs.29,139/- () interest already paid Rs .2.100/- Rs.27,039/- ???????????

(3.) A copy of Rule 139 from Post Office Saving Bank Manual, Volume-1 was also produced which is at page 23 of the District Forum Record authorising payment of interest on Bank rate on delayed payment of the matured amount.