Signs of forgery

nI am a merchant navy officer. In the month of July 2003, from the monthly account statement of June 2003, of my NRW savings account no 33110064110 with Standard Chartered Bank, 19, . S. Road, Calcutta 700 001, I realised that by forging my signature three demand drafts were made, in favour of some unknown Mr Chittaranjan Saha for Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively, totalling Rs 6 lakhs on the June 18 and 19, 2003 and debited from my account. I had informed the bank regarding this fraudulent case. I have also lodged a complaint at Hare Street, police station, Calcutta. My FIR no 496, lodged on August 11, 2003. Till date they are yet to prove that the signatures are not mine. Under the present circumstances can I approach the Consumers Forum, for compensation from the Standard Chartered Bank?

Shantanu Mitra,

Flat: 3T, Madhusree Apartments, 3, . . Dutta Road, Calcutta 700 040.

Response from the Standard Chartered Bank:

nOn receipt of the complaint from Mr Shantanu Mitra, we have investigated the matter thoroughly and wish to advise as follows: The customer’s account was debited towards issuance of the pay orders favouring Mr Chittaranjan Saha in accordance with his mandate. We acted under valid instructions from the customer and only after due verification of his signature, issued the pay orders. We had acted without any negligence in following the due process.

We advise that Mr Mitra lodge a FIR with the Hare Street police station in this regard and we will extend our full co-operation to the police.

We also advise that the case at present is subjudice under Section 120B/ 420/ 468/ 471 and 471 of Indian Penal Code under the Calcutta Metropolitan Magistrate Court. We will act on receipt of the court verdict.

Jogesh Sikka, Manager-Customer Care Banking, Standard Chartered Bank, Consumer Banking Customer Care Unit, Chennai.

@From the complaint, this appears to be a case of fraud. Determination of issues relating to fraud, misrepresentation etc. will not be undertaken by the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum as per the settled principle of laws laid down by the apex consumer court of the country. It would therefore be wise to proceed with the criminal case pending before the Calcutta Metropolitan Magistrate Court with all diligence.

Waiting for LIC papers

nWe had taken a policy from L. I. C. in April, 2003 bearing policy no. 465073449 dated April 28, 2003. Its first premium was duly accepted by the main branch of L. I. C. of India, Asansol. But inspite of dozens of telephonic complaints, we got the standard reply “your policy is in safe hands and we are yet to receive the original policy papers ordered for”. What should I do now? Please advise

Vaishali B. Pandya, 276, Gopal Nagar, P.. Kolla C. H.

Burdwan- 713 340,

No response from the company

@From the complaint it appears that the complainant has suffered mental agony and harassment . It is an admitted fact that Life Insurance Corporation of India has made inordinate delay in providing the policy to its consumer and the same amounts to total deficiency in service on their part. In view of such circumstances the complainant can very well take up this matter before the Consumer Fora for its relief and redressal.

Wrongful charges

nOn 14.9.2003, I along with my sister and her 8-year-old son went to Sanjiban Diagnostic & Medical Research Pvt. Ltd for a throat swab and culture test. After all the samples had been collected, we were asked to deposit Rs 125 for the said test. Instead of making a one-time payment we deposited Rs 100 as advance and a bill was issued showing the balance of Rs 25 as due. On 17.9.2003 according to the instruction in the bill, I went to the said diagnostic centre to collect the report of the test. They asked me to deposit another Rs 165 for the report. Upon enquiry, I was told that since the report is positive I have to pay the extra charges. Do I have a remedy for this?

Dipankar Bhattacharya

13/3 M.D. Road, Behala

Calcutta 700 060

No response from the company

@For an extra job done the complainant is duty-bound to pay extra money. That apart, the dispute relating to fees/charges/prices etc. cannot be adjudicated under the consumer protection act. Hence the complainant has no relief before the consumer foras. The issue in this case is of stating clearly the fee for conducting the tests. There should be no hidden charges.

Honour my cheque

nAs per clause 3 of the Company Law Board’s (CLB) order M/S Duncan Industries Limited were required to issue a fresh cheque and pay the amount within 15 months from the date of the order in cases where dishonoured cheques were returned to them. I had returned the dishonoured cheques of Rs 10,000 but despite reminding them on several occasions, no response was received. Regarding a fresh cheque and payment as per the order of the CLB has also not been made. Please advise.

Gopal Das Bhatia

Bhatia Road, Sahebgunj

816 109

No response from the company

@From the complaint it appears that the company has violated the order of company law board which was passed ex-parte to the benefit of the company. In this circumstance, the complainant will have to approach the appropriate bench of the CLB which passed the said ex-parte order in favour of the company by filling an application as to how the company violated the order of the CLB and for further direction. Particulars in this respect may be obtained from: Office of the Company Affairs, Nizam Palace, 2nd floor, Calcutta.

Disbalanced

nI am a credit card holder of ICICI Bank and CITI Bank. In the month of January, 2003, I received a call from the ICICI Bank asking me whether I am interested in availing a balance transfer facility from them. I informed them that my CITI Bank card account requires balance transfer and gave my CITI Bank credit card number 4568 2291 9786 0001. But the ICICI Bank sent a draft of Rs 20,000 bearing the wrong credit card number i.e. 4568 2291 9768 0001.

After depositing the draft in CITI Bank and finding that the amount has not been credited to my CITI Bank card account I called the customer care of ICICI bank for several days but to no avail.

Since January 2003 I have tried my best to clarify the matter, but could not do so as I had no idea who to contact at the bank.

Now and then I get phone calls to pay for the amount not received by me. I have all documents/ correspondence with me, and if you desire I shall be able to produce the same. What should I do now?:

Rupendra Singh Sodhi

27A, harish Mukherjee Road,

First floor, Bhowanipore,

Calcutta 700025

No response from the company

@In the present case it appears that ICICI Bank has neglected in performing its official business which is a clear case of deficiency in service and as such the demand so made through phone calls are not only arbitrary but also an act in excess of jurisdiction so vested. In view of the facts and circumstances the complainant can very well approach the district consumer forum for its relief and redressal.