As they say, never underestimate the power of a common man. Certainly not if that common man happens to be a tea vendor from Bhopal.
Rajesh Sakre has just achieved something that many educated people may not be able to do so. He challenged the government-owned State Bank of India and won too.
According to a report published by Bhopal Samachar, in 2011 Sakre withdrew Rs 10,800 from his bank account which had a balance of Rs 20000. However, in his next visit to the ATM, he was shocked to see a zero balance as the remaining money had mysteriously disappeared.
He contacted his local branch but the branch manager blamed him for the mess. Undeterred by this treatment, Sakre contacted the bank’s head office in Mumbai. Here too, he was met with utter disappointment.
Unfazed, he approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. As he didn’t have money to hire a lawyer, Sakre himself decided to take the SBI’s lawyer head on.
After over a dozen hearings, the Consumer Forum ruled in his favour before ordering the SBI to return Rs. 9,200 along with 6% interest within two months. The bank has also been asked to pay Rs. 10,000 for the mental anguish caused to Sakre and additional Rs.2,000 to cover his legal expenses
(Photo courtesy: Bhopal Samachar)
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