In a significant order, the Cooperative Ombudsman has directed the Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar based Senapati Bapat Multi State Cooperative Credit Society to refund overdue fixed deposits and savings account balance to two complainants, Smt. Shobha Misrilal Sancheti and Misrilal M. Sancheti, within 15 days, along with up-to-date interest.
According to the complaint filed on January 1, 2025, the Sancheti couple had invested a total of Rs 4.40 lakh in two fixed deposits, Rs 2 lakh on August 6, 2022 (Receipt No. 51107) and Rs 2.40 lakh on September 17, 2022 (Receipt No. 51160), in their joint names. Additionally, they held an outstanding savings account balance of Rs 2,57,442 with the Society.
The deposits matured in August and September 2024, after which the complainants approached the Society through a written representation dated November 3, 2024, seeking repayment. However, the Society failed to refund the amount or respond to their request.
Despite two separate notices from the Cooperative Ombudsman’s office, dated January 6 and March 11, 2025, asking the Society to submit a response by March 24, there was no reply. In their latest communication on May 29, the complainants confirmed that the Society had remained unresponsive even after persistent follow-ups.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the Ombudsman noted the absence of cooperation from the Society and a clear denial of the depositors’ rights.
In the final order, the Ombudsman, Shri Alok Agarwal, stated, “Senapati Bapat Multi State Cooperative Credit Society Ltd., Ahilya Nagar is hereby directed to pay the amount of deposits due & claimed by the complainants against their respective fixed deposit and savings account along with up-to-date interest thereon within 15 days from the date of issue of this order.”
The Society has also been instructed to submit a compliance report to the Ombudsman’s office immediately after fulfilling the order.