Agartala: March 11: Tripura Gramin Bank has been directed to pay ₹15,000 in compensation to a customer, Dr. Paresh Chandra Modak, by the Unakoti District Consumer Protection Court. The ruling follows a case filed by Dr. Modak against the bank for unauthorized deductions from his savings account.
Dr. Modak, a resident of Dharmanagar and owner of Modak Homeo Clinic, alleged that ₹120 was unlawfully deducted from his account in 2022 and 2023, violating Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. According to Dr. Modak, the deductions occurred without prior notice, as mandated by the RBI. Despite submitting a formal complaint to the bank, no resolution was provided.
The issue escalated when the Dharmanagar branch manager cited a new policy, effective from November 7, 2022, that allowed deductions for non-maintenance of the minimum balance. However, the deductions in question occurred in September 2022, before the policy’s implementation, rendering them invalid.
Dr. Modak filed a case on December 19, 2023, at the Unakoti District Consumer Protection Court, seeking compensation for the financial loss, related expenses, and mental distress. Representing himself without legal assistance, he claimed ₹20,000 in compensation. The court ruled in his favor, ordering the bank to pay ₹15,000 within two months. Failure to comply will result in an additional 9% daily interest.
The incident underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring bank transactions and adhering to RBI notifications. Dr. Modak urged customers to remain alert to avoid similar occurrences.
