The court has imposed a fine on a private bank while delivering its verdict on a citizen’s petition regarding a faulty ATM.
The Consumer Protection Court ruled on the application concerning the ATM malfunction and fined the private bank Rs15,000. The court ordered compensation for the mental distress and loss of time suffered by the customer.
According to the petitioner, the ATM failed to dispense cash during a withdrawal attempt in 2019, while the machine also retained his card. He stated that the non-return of the card caused him considerable embarrassment and inconvenience.
In its remarks, the court noted that the withdrawn amount and service charges had already been refunded to the customer. However, it observed that the retention of the card due to the ATM malfunction constituted a deficiency in service.
The court also rejected the bank’s objections regarding jurisdiction, stating that despite the refund of the amount, compensation for mental anguish and wasted time remained necessary. The private bank was therefore directed to pay Rs15,000 to the petitioner as damages.
