Chennai, October 23: A recent legal battle between a Chennai resident and ICICI Bank has concluded, with the District Consumer Disputes Grievance Redressal Commission ordering the bank to pay a hefty sum of Rs 76,691 as compensation. D Sylvester Arokiaraj, the petitioner, had faced denial of reward points on his ICICI credit card, which was earned through a significant jewellery purchase on Amazon in March 2021.

According to a Times of India report, Arokiaraj had made a substantial transaction of Rs 8.89 lakh on the e-commerce platform Amazon, qualifying him for 41,961 reward points, equivalent to the same amount in Indian rupees, in March 2021. However, these points failed to be reflected in his subsequent bank statements, leading to a prolonged tussle with the bank's authorities. Despite repeated complaints, Arokiaraj received no satisfactory explanation, and his credit card was unexpectedly blocked without prior notification. 'Against Secularism': Madras High Court Pulls Up Tamil Nadu Police for Refusing Permission to RSS March Citing Mosques and Churches Along Route, Directs 'Peaceful' Conduct of Marches and Meetings.

The bank's subsequent response stated that the reward points were withheld due to the assumption that the purchase was made for commercial purposes, a claim contested by Arokiaraj, who asserted that the transaction was strictly for personal use and did not impact his credit card payments in any way. ICICI Bank's failure to provide adequate clarification or appear before the commission led to a decisive ruling in Arokiaraj's favour. HC on Employee's Right to Vent: Madras High Court Upholds Bank Staffer's Right to Criticise Management on WhatsApp, Quashes Charge Memo.

The Commission not only directed ICICI Bank to release the disputed reward points but also awarded additional compensation amounting to Rs 35,000 for deficient service, mental distress, and legal expenses, in addition to the original reward point's worth. The judgment serves as a reminder for financial institutions to ensure transparency and responsiveness in their dealings, safeguarding the interests of their customers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2023 08:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).