HDFC Bank to pay Rs 3L for seizing car without giving notice

The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed as the bank had failed to place on record the notice it had claimed to have sent to the vehicle owner, "it is obvious" the car was intercepted while it was on the road.

The bench presided by C K Chaturvedi also referred to the alleged surrender letter submitted by the bank and said the letter was signed by someone else and not the vehicle owner.

"No notice or intimation addressed to complainant, owner of the vehicle, is placed on record. The alleged surrender letter of March 4, 2006 shows it is signed by one Baboo, not complainant. It is obvious the vehicle while on the road was intercepted when Baboo was driving, it was forcibly seized from him and he was made to sign the alleged surrender letter.

"Law is well settled that criminal force cannot be used by opposite party (HDFC Bank) to possess the vehicle... The complainant has been deprived of use of the car to earn livelihood, besides loss of insurance money. We award a compensation of Rs three lakh ...," the bench, also comprising its members S R Chaudhary and Asha Kumar, said.

The forum's order came on a complaint of Delhi resident Rajbir Singh who had claimed to have bought a used Tata Indica

... contd.