VIR BHAN KHANNA Vs. REGIONAL MANAGER ALLAHABAD BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complaint of Vir Bhan Khanna that his Saving Bank Account at Ambala Cantt. was closed without informing him, was dismissed by the District Forum-I on 22.10.1998. Aggrieved against it, the present appeal has been attempted.

(2.) Vir Bhan Khanna opened a Saving Bank Account with the respondent at their Ambala Cantt. Branch on 24.8.1989. It was on 28.9.1992 that the balance of Rs.500/- was transferred to the account of Ms. Sanjogta Khanna, wife of the complainant and his own account was closed. Sh. Mohan Singh, Sr. Manager who appeared in the District Forum-I specifically told that the balance of Rs.500/-was transferred to the account of wife of the complainant and the Saving Bank Account of the complainant was closed on the instructions under signature of the complainant. We have perused the entries of the Saving Bank Account of the complainant starting from 24.4.1989. As seen above it was started with a cash of Rs.100/- and maximum sum was Rs.2,483/- on 16.8.1989. Thereafter there were withdrawals and on 28.9.1992 the balance of Rs.500/- was transferred to the Saving Bank Account of his own wife. The account of the complainant was closed on 28.9.1992. The complaint instituted on 8.12.1995 was clearly barred by time. The respondent Bank placed a transfer form on record duly filled and bears the seal of the Bank. On the back of this form the complainant has specifically advised in writing that his account may be closed and balance be transferred to the account of his wife. The Saving Bank Account No. of the wife of the complainant is also mentioned and it bears the signatures of the complainant in English. There is no evidence that the signatures of the complainant were forged. At the same time the wife was not impleaded as a respondent nor there is any affidavit on her behalf that this sum of Rs.500/- was not credited to her account. The conclusion is that there is no merit in this appeal where the complaint was clearly barred by time. The appeal fails and is hereby dismissed with costs. Counsel's fee Rs.300/-.