I issued a cheque for a mobile phone bill payment from my bank account. The bank returned the cheque citing ‘Stopped Payment by Drawer’. I hadn’t asked the bank to stop payment and now the mobile operator has slapped a late payment fee. Can I take the bank to court?
Alok Mantri, Pune
Your agitation is understandable, but you seem to be highly influenced by American sitcoms, where going to court on anything and everything is common. Yes, the bank is at fault if it did not honour your cheque despite funds being available in your account and you not having instructed a stop payment. Seek remedies from the branch manager before you escalate the issue. If it is a case of human error, and the branch manager is willing to redress your complaint, give him a fair chance. This will be a faster and more efficient way of dealing with the problem. If you do not get the desired cooperation at the branch, complain to the banking ombudsman and ask for compensation. If even that does not work, then take the matter to a consumer court.
