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Submit your complaint →Avinash Mahto, Area Sales Manager at Tata Power Renewable Energy, has accused HDFC Bank of charging an unfair ₹295 penalty despite clearing his EMI the next day. The case, now highlighted on Choice4Voice.com, reflects growing consumer frustration with automatic penalties and lack of communication from major banks.
Complaint Summary
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Avinash Mahto |
| Profession | Area Sales Manager at Tata Power Renewable Energy |
| Company Concerned | HDFC Bank |
| Issue Type | Unjust penalty despite EMI payment |
| Date of Incident | November 2025 |
| Complaint Posted On | |
| Original LinkedIn Post URL | View Original Post |
| Status | Awaiting response from HDFC Bank |
| Platform | Choice4Voice.com |
Complaint Summary — What Happened
Avinash Mahto, a professional working as Area Sales Manager at Tata Power Renewable Energy, shared his disappointment with HDFC Bank on LinkedIn after being charged a penalty of ₹295 for “non-maintenance of balance.”
According to his statement, Mahto had an active personal loan with HDFC Bank with EMIs due every month on the 6th. However, due to a short delay, his EMI was not processed on November 6. He claims to have made the payment the very next day, yet HDFC Bank imposed an automatic penalty of ₹295 for not maintaining the required balance.
Mahto expressed his frustration, stating that such penalties are unfair and demotivating for loyal customers who maintain timely repayment records. He further warned that SBI (State Bank of India) could deactivate his NACH facility due to HDFC’s penalty actions, which could affect his future loan repayments.
He has urged HDFC Bank to review the matter and reverse the charge, emphasizing that technical delays should not lead to unnecessary deductions from consumers’ accounts.
Legal Case Can Be Filed
Based on this issue, the following legal cases and complaints can be filed:
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (Unfair Trade Practice):
Applicable under Deficiency in Banking Service since the penalty appears unjustified. - RBI Banking Ombudsman Complaint:
Consumers can file an official grievance on the RBI CMS Portal (https://cms.rbi.org.in) for unauthorized deductions or poor grievance redressal. - Banking Regulation Act, 1949:
Applicable for non-transparent charges and violation of fair banking conduct. - Cyber and Financial Complaint:
If unauthorized deductions continue, consumers can raise a complaint on https://cybercrime.gov.in under Financial Fraud Category.
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
Choice4Voice.com helps consumers like Avinash Mahto amplify their unresolved complaints publicly and push for quick redressal.
Our process includes:
- Verification of the consumer’s case and supporting documents.
- Publication of the verified complaint on our website and LinkedIn page for public awareness.
- Direct tagging of the concerned company and escalation to relevant authorities such as RBI, Banking Ombudsman, or the Consumer Court.
If you’ve faced similar issues with HDFC Bank or any financial institution, you can submit your complaint using our verified Consumer Complaint Form.
Step-by-Step Guide to File a Banking Complaint
Option 1: File to HDFC Bank Directly
- Visit the official HDFC Bank Grievance Redressal Page.
- Select Banking Services → Charges/Deductions → Account Balance.
- Upload transaction proof and request reversal.
Option 2: Escalate to RBI Ombudsman
- Visit https://cms.rbi.org.in.
- Choose Banking → Unfair Charges.
- Mention your HDFC account number (without disclosing full digits publicly).
- Attach bank statement and prior correspondence.
Option 3: File Consumer Court Complaint
- Visit https://edaakhil.nic.in.
- Select Banking Deficiency Complaint.
- Attach your evidence, including SMS proof of deduction.
Pre-Drafted Complaint Email to HDFC Bank
Subject: Request for Reversal of Unfair ₹295 Penalty Charged
Body:
Dear HDFC Bank Team,
I wish to bring to your attention that a penalty of ₹295 was charged to my account for “non-maintenance of balance,” even though my EMI was cleared the very next day. This deduction appears to be unjustified as the EMI delay was for less than 24 hours.
I request you to kindly review my transaction records and initiate a refund of the deducted amount.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Last 4 digits of Account No.]
[Registered Email ID]
Author Section
About the Complainant:
Avinash Mahto is an Area Sales Manager at Tata Power Renewable Energy, responsible for driving sales and business operations in the renewable energy sector. With a strong background in energy management, Avinash has highlighted this issue publicly to encourage financial transparency and fair consumer treatment in the banking industry.
How Choice4Voice.com Works
Choice4Voice.com is an independent consumer advocacy platform based in India that publishes genuine, verified consumer complaints against brands and service providers who ignore customer grievances.
Our mission is to make consumer voices heard by:
- Publishing verified complaints
- Increasing visibility through SEO and LinkedIn amplification
- Encouraging brands to respond publicly and resolve issues faster
To share your complaint, visit: www.choice4voice.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why did HDFC Bank charge ₹295 for non-maintenance of balance?
A1. HDFC Bank charges a penalty when your account balance falls below the minimum requirement. However, if this occurred due to an EMI delay of just one day, you can request a reversal.
Q2. Can HDFC reverse such penalty charges?
A2. Yes, customers can request reversal if the deduction was made mistakenly or due to a short-term balance drop.
Q3. What is NACH and how does it affect EMI payments?
A3. NACH (National Automated Clearing House) automatically deducts EMIs from your account. Repeated dishonors can lead to suspension by your loan provider.
Q4. How can I avoid balance penalties in HDFC Bank?
A4. Maintain minimum balance, enable SMS alerts, and set up auto-transfers to ensure your account always meets the balance requirement.
Q5. How do I contact HDFC Bank for charge disputes?
A5. You can email support@hdfcbank.com or raise a complaint via https://www.hdfcbank.com.
Q6. Can RBI intervene in such cases?
A6. Yes, if the bank fails to resolve your grievance within 30 days, you can escalate it to the RBI Ombudsman.
Q7. What documents are needed to file a consumer complaint?
A7. Transaction SMS, account statement, and written complaint proof.
Q8. How long does it take to get a response from HDFC?
A8. Usually 7–10 business days after the complaint submission.
Q9. Can I file a complaint without visiting the branch?
A9. Yes, all complaints can be filed online through HDFC’s website or RBI’s CMS portal.
Q10. What if HDFC refuses to refund the penalty?
A10. You can take legal action through the Consumer Forum for deficiency in service.
Q11. Is the ₹295 charge legal?
A11. It is permitted under HDFC’s service terms but can be challenged if levied unfairly.
Q12. Can such issues affect my credit score?
A12. No, minor balance penalties do not impact credit score unless EMI defaults continue.
Q13. What is the RBI CMS Portal for complaints?
A13. It is an official platform by the Reserve Bank of India for filing banking-related grievances.
Q14. Can SBI block my NACH due to HDFC’s penalty?
A14. Not directly, but repeated dishonors or insufficient balances can trigger NACH deactivation.
Q15. How to check penalty history on HDFC app?
A15. Login to HDFC app → Accounts → View Statement → Charges Section.
Q16. Can Choice4Voice.com help escalate my case?
A16. Yes, Choice4Voice verifies and publishes complaints to build pressure on banks for resolution.
Q17. Is HDFC bound to refund incorrect charges?
A17. Yes, under RBI’s “Customer Rights Policy,” banks must refund unauthorized deductions.
Q18. Where else can I post my issue for visibility?
A18. On LinkedIn and Twitter tagging HDFC Bank and RBI with complaint details.
Q19. What if the penalty repeats automatically?
A19. Immediately email the bank and block automatic deductions until resolved.
Q20. How to ensure my complaint gets noticed faster?
A20. Share your verified complaint on Choice4Voice.com for maximum visibility and support.
Published by Choice4Voice.com — India’s Fastest-Growing Consumer Advocacy Platform
Raising Voices. Driving Change.
