Rs 42.92 lakh debited ‘illegally’ from old woman’s SBI account, she gets Rs 44 lakh

The Delhi State Consumer Commission has ruled in favor of a senior citizen, Shakuntala Mehtani, after SBI was found to have debited her accounts "illegally." The commission upheld an order directing the bank to refund Rs 42.92 lakh with interest and pay her Rs 1 lakh in compensation. Mehtani alleged that unauthorised withdrawals totaling Rs 82.51 lakh were made from her savings and overdraft accounts in July 2021.

The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission president, Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, and member Bimla Kumari heard SBI's appeal against the August 11, 2025 direction to refund the money and pay compensation. SBI argued that the transactions were carried out by Mehtani's former accountant, Ajay Kumar Manchanda, and that transaction alerts were sent to her registered mobile number.

However, the commission ruled that the mere fact of transactions happening through internet banking or alerts being generated on the registered mobile number cannot prove authorisation. The commission also noted that SBI had not provided any documents showing Mehtani's consent for changing her registered mobile number or upgrading her internet banking facility.

Mehtani's complaint stated that Manchanda changed her contact details to receive transaction alerts and one-time passwords. An FIR was registered against Manchanda and SBI employees, but the case was pending in the trial court. The commission found no reason to interfere with the district forum's finding of deficiency in service and dismissed SBI's appeal.