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Submit your complaint →Gaurav Goswami, an Applied Computer Vision Engineer at Samsung Research Institute, has reported a long standing issue with ICICI Bank where funds in his account remain stuck for over a year. Despite repeated follow-ups with customer care, the Mutual Funds team, and branch visits, there has been no resolution. Choice4Voice.com investigates the matter, explaining possible causes, escalation steps, and how customers can seek redress through RBI and consumer protection channels.
ICICI Bank Customer Struggles With Unresolved Fund Lock Issue for Over a Year
Author Details
Complainant Name: Gaurav Goswami
Profession: Applied Computer Vision Engineer
Organization: Samsung Research Institute, Bengaluru
Platform: LinkedIn
Date of Complaint: October 2025
Complaint Summary Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank Name | ICICI Bank |
| Issue Type | Funds stuck in account for over a year |
| Duration of Problem | More than 12 months |
| Customer Action | Multiple follow-ups with customer care and branch visits |
| Department Involved | Mutual Funds Team |
| Bank Response | Conflicting statements between branch and support teams |
| Evidence Provided | Branch screenshot showing balance confirmation |
| Current Status | Issue unresolved, no official clarification |
| Complainant’s Expectation | Immediate resolution and release of funds |
Complaint Overview
Gaurav Goswami, an Applied Computer Vision Engineer at Samsung Research Institute, Bengaluru, has shared his frustrating experience with ICICI Bank, highlighting a year-long issue of funds being stuck in his account without resolution.
According to his statement, every time he contacted ICICI Bank customer care, he was redirected to the Mutual Funds team, which later denied any balance under his account. However, when he personally visited the ICICI Bank branch, the staff showed him a screenshot confirming the funds, yet no corrective action was taken to release or clarify the issue.
Despite multiple escalations, calls, and visits, the problem remains unresolved even after more than a year. This has caused immense frustration and raised serious concerns about ICICI Bank’s internal coordination and accountability.
Possible Reasons Behind Fund Lock Issues
There are several possible causes why funds may remain inaccessible or stuck in a customer’s account:
- Unlinked Mutual Fund Accounts: The investment account may not be properly linked to the customer’s main account.
- System Error or Data Sync Failure: Bank systems sometimes fail to update live balances between mutual fund platforms and customer dashboards.
- Inactive or Dormant Account Status: Inactivity beyond a certain period may freeze linked funds until KYC or re-verification is completed.
- Incorrect Mapping Between PAN and Customer ID: Mismatched identifiers between the mutual fund registrar and the bank.
- Internal Escalation Delays: Poor follow-up and lack of internal communication between departments.
Regardless of the reason, it is the bank’s responsibility to ensure accurate reporting and timely access to customer funds.
How Choice4Voice.com Helps in Cases Like This
Choice4Voice.com stands as a consumer advocacy platform that fights for fair treatment of consumers whose complaints are ignored by corporations, banks, and financial institutions.
Here’s how Choice4Voice.com assists:
- Verification: Every case is verified for authenticity and supporting proof.
- Publication: Verified cases are published on Choice4Voice.com and LinkedIn to generate awareness and accountability.
- Regulatory Escalation: Serious banking cases are forwarded to relevant authorities such as the RBI Ombudsman or Consumer Forum.
- Public Visibility: Publication on a public platform puts pressure on organizations to respond quickly and fairly.
This transparent and factual approach has helped multiple consumers get long-pending issues resolved faster.
Legal Remedies Available to the Complainant
| Authority | Purpose | Action Steps |
|---|---|---|
| RBI Ombudsman (https://cms.rbi.org.in) | File a complaint against bank negligence or mismanagement of funds. | Submit a detailed complaint with supporting screenshots and reference numbers. |
| Consumer Forum (https://edaakhil.nic.in) | Seek compensation for service failure and mental distress. | File an online case under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. |
| ICICI Bank Nodal Officer | Final internal escalation within the bank before external complaint. | Write to headservicequality@icicibank.com with detailed description and proof. |
| SEBI Investor Grievance Cell (https://scores.gov.in) | If funds relate to mutual funds or investments. | File a complaint under investment-related grievances. |
Step-by-Step Guide to File an RBI Ombudsman Complaint
- Visit https://cms.rbi.org.in
- Choose “ICICI Bank” as the concerned institution.
- Select Category: Non-reflection or delay in fund credit.
- Attach supporting documents like screenshots, emails, and SR numbers.
- Submit the complaint and note the acknowledgment number for tracking.
Pre-Drafted Complaint Email for ICICI Bank
To: headservicequality@icicibank.com
Subject: Urgent Request for Resolution – Funds Stuck in My Account for Over a Year
Dear ICICI Bank Service Quality Team,
I have been facing an unresolved issue for more than a year regarding funds stuck in my ICICI account. Despite multiple calls, branch visits, and follow-ups, there has been no resolution.
Your customer care and Mutual Fund departments have provided conflicting statements. During my branch visit, I was shown a confirmation screenshot of the funds, yet the issue remains unresolved.
I request you to investigate this matter urgently and process the release of my funds. Please treat this as a high-priority escalation.
Best regards,
Gaurav Goswami
Account Holder, ICICI Bank
Consumer Forum Filing Process
- Visit https://edaakhil.nic.in.
- Register using mobile and Aadhaar details.
- Upload the complaint letter, screenshots, and proof.
- Select ICICI Bank Ltd. as the respondent.
- Track complaint progress via online dashboard.
Conclusion
The case of Gaurav Goswami vs ICICI Bank demonstrates a concerning lack of efficiency and internal communication within one of India’s largest private banks. Holding customer funds for over a year without clear explanation is a serious breach of trust and service quality.
Platforms like Choice4Voice.com ensure that such cases do not go unnoticed and that affected consumers have a structured path to justice through public visibility, regulatory escalation, and legal recourse.
No consumer should have to wait indefinitely for access to their own money — accountability and prompt action are the basic rights of every banking customer.
Q&A Section
Q1. What should I do if my funds are stuck in an ICICI Bank account?
A. Contact customer care, get a complaint ID, and escalate to the Nodal Officer if unresolved.
Q2. How long can a fund remain in the “pending” state?
A. Normally, fund settlements should occur within 2–3 business days unless under verification.
Q3. Who can I contact if ICICI Bank doesn’t respond?
A. File a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman or the Consumer Forum.
Q4. Can I approach SEBI for issues with mutual funds?
A. Yes, if the issue is related to investment holdings or redemption delays.
Q5. What documents are required for an RBI complaint?
A. Account statement, emails, branch acknowledgment, and screenshots of the issue.
Q6. Is there a time limit for filing complaints with the RBI Ombudsman?
A. Yes, the complaint must be filed within one year of the bank’s unsatisfactory reply.
Q7. What email ID can I use for ICICI Bank grievance redressal?
A. Write to headservicequality@icicibank.com.
Q8. How does Choice4Voice.com verify such complaints?
A. Through cross-verification of LinkedIn posts, supporting documents, and user confirmation.
Q9. Can customers get compensation for delayed resolutions?
A. Yes, under RBI and Consumer Protection guidelines, customers can seek financial compensation.
Q10. What is the role of the Mutual Funds team in banks?
A. They handle investment-related operations linked to bank accounts.
Q11. Why do banks give conflicting responses between departments?
A. Often due to poor internal communication or lack of integrated systems.
Q12. How long does the RBI Ombudsman take to resolve cases?
A. Usually within 30 days of complaint acceptance.
Q13. Can I file a case online without visiting a branch?
A. Yes, via the RBI CMS portal or Consumer Forum website.
Q14. What happens after filing an RBI complaint?
A. The bank must respond within a stipulated period, failing which the Ombudsman may impose penalties.
Q15. Can Choice4Voice.com publish my unresolved complaint?
A. Yes, after verifying the authenticity of the claim.
Q16. What are typical causes of fund freeze in banks?
A. KYC issues, dormant status, technical errors, or unlinked investment accounts.
Q17. How can I track complaint progress in ICICI Bank?
A. Use the Service Request (SR) number provided during complaint registration.
Q18. Can banks delay fund transfers beyond the promised time?
A. Only under exceptional regulatory or technical reasons.
Q19. What rights do consumers have against bank negligence?
A. Right to transparency, compensation, and timely redressal under the Consumer Protection Act.
Q20. Why should customers use Choice4Voice.com for complaints?
A. It amplifies genuine consumer grievances, increases accountability, and guides users through escalation channels effectively.
