The High Court has directed Bangladesh Bank to ensure that four customers of National Bank PLC can withdraw money from their savings accounts after they alleged that the bank refused to honour their cheques despite having sufficient balances.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice Md Ali Reza issued the interim order on Monday while hearing a writ petition titled Lucky Akter and Others vs Bangladesh and Others.
The court directed Bangladesh Bank to take necessary regulatory measures and ensure that National Bank allows the four customers to withdraw their deposited funds.
It also issued a rule seeking an explanation on why necessary action was not taken against the bank following the customers’ complaints.
The four petitioners are Lucky Akter, Nasima Begum, Sathi Begum and Md Shamim Ahmed.
The first three maintain accounts at National Bank’s Mirzapur Branch in Tangail, while Shamim Ahmed holds an account at its Bhaluka Branch in Mymensingh.
According to the petition, the customers went to their respective branches with cheques on 17 September but were denied payment.
Nasima Begum could not withdraw Tk30,000 despite submitting a cheque for the amount, it said.
The customers claimed their accounts were active and had sufficient funds, but the bank did not provide any written explanation for refusing payment.
After failing to resolve the issue through the branches, the customers lodged complaints with Bangladesh Bank’s Customer Interest Protection Centre and Financial Integrity and Customer Services Department through email, according to the petition.
The customers later moved the High Court after receiving no solution from the regulator, the petition said.
Their lawyer, Maruf Ul Abed, told TIMES that the court had directed authorities to arrange payment from the customers’ accounts.
He said the court also sought an explanation from Bangladesh Bank over why action was not taken despite complaints against National Bank.
The petitioners said they depended on their savings for essential expenses, including food, medical treatment and education.
They argued that refusing access to their deposits without stating any legal reason had affected their rights.
Shamim Ahmed, one of the petitioners, told TIMES that he was relieved by the court order.
“The money deposited with National Bank is my hard-earned savings. Despite having sufficient funds in my account, the bank did not honour my cheque when I needed the money the most,” he said.
He expressed hope that the order would provide confidence to other customers facing similar difficulties and strengthen accountability and transparency in the banking sector.
