Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 04 August 2026

Case Overview

  • Appellant: H.D.F.C. Bank Ltd; Respondent: Umesh Ambika Prasad Mishra.
  • Originating order: NCDRC order dated 13 September 2023 in Consumer Case No. 331/2014, which rejected the bank’s written statement on limitation grounds.
  • The rejection was based on the precedent New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. Hilli Multipurpose Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd., requiring a digitally signed notice accompanied by a copy of the consumer case.
  • The Supreme Court observed that NCDRC did not verify whether the October 2019 notice served on 29‑10‑2019 included the required copy of the consumer case.
  • The bank had filed a fresh written statement in 2021 after service of a new notice that complied with the requirement.

Final Outcome

  • The appeal is allowed; the NCDRC order rejecting the bank’s written statement is set aside.
  • NCDRC shall record the written statement filed by HDFC Bank Ltd and decide the consumer matter on its merits in accordance with law.
  • Any pending applications, if any, are ordered disposed of.
  • Order signed by Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva.

Topics: Consumer Protection, Banking Law