Authority: High Court of Odisha at Cuttack
Order Date: 17 August 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Punjab National Bank, Bandutikira, Bargarh, represented by Advocate Anjan Biswal.
- Opposite parties: Aruna Kumar Nanda and another, represented by Advocate Agnihotra Sahu.
- The dispute stems from Consumer Complaint Case No.53 of 2015 before the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, which on 08‑11‑2017 ordered the bank to deliver possession of a scheduled property within one month, pay interest at 9% per annum on amounts paid by the complainant, and compensate Rs 20,000 for physical and mental harassment with interest at 18% on default.
- The bank appealed this order to the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Odisha (FA No.78 of 2018). The appeal was dismissed on 28‑10‑2021 for non‑prosecution as the bank’s counsel did not appear.
- A review petition (Review Petition No.17 of 2024) was filed against the dismissal; after a delay of 502 days, the Commission rejected condonation of delay and dismissed the review on 12‑12‑2025.
- The bank filed the present writ petition (W.P.(C) No.23928 of 2026) challenging both the 2025 dismissal order and the earlier consumer forum order.
Final Outcome
- The High Court set aside the dismissal order dated 12‑12‑2025 and restored FA No.78 of 2018 to the file of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Odisha, Cuttack.
- The bank is directed to pay Rs 50,000 as costs to the opposite party within one month.
- The Commission is urged to dispose of the restored appeal on its merits as expeditiously as possible.
Topics: Consumer Banking, Legal Remedy