Rourkela: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Sundargarh, has directed HDFC Bank’s Sundargarh branch to refund Rs 1.96 lakh to a private firm for alleged wrongful deductions and pay Rs 25,000 as compensation along with Rs 10,000 towards litigation cost.The commission, in its June 17 order, asked the bank to comply within 30 days, failing which the amount will attract 9% annual interest till realisation.The complaint was filed by Gurudev Agency, represented by its proprietor Pravit Purohit of Old Cinema Hall Road, Sundargarh. Purohit stated that the firm shifted its banking operations to HDFC Bank in 2019 after being assured of cash deposit facilities up to Rs 2 crore per month without charges, later revised to Rs 1.5 crore. The firm subsequently maintained current and cash credit accounts and deposited cash accordingly.However, towards the end of 2023, the firm found that Rs 1,96,115.34 had been deducted between April 2021 and Jan 2024 under heads such as cash deposit charges and low denomination charges. The complainant alleged that the branch manager had acknowledged the error in writing and assured a reversal, which was not carried out.Despite serving a legal notice on March 26, 2025, the issue remained unresolved, prompting the firm to move the consumer commission on May 24, 2025.In its defence, HDFC Bank said the deductions were system-generated and levied as per its schedule of charges, including penalties for exceeding limits and non-compliance with documentation requirements.The commission, however, noted irregular and delayed deductions — including instances of double deduction in May 2021 — and held that the bank failed to substantiate its claims with evidence. It concluded there was deficiency in service and ruled in the complainant’s favour.
