Siri Jagan, J.

1. A co-operative bank, which accepted fixed deposits from depositors, who are members of the bank , agreeing to pay a definite sum after a definite number of years, has filed this appeal challenging the judgment of a learned Single Judge, directing the bank to pay the maturity value of the deposit at the rate originally agreed upon.

2. The 2nd respondent herein was a depositor of the appellant-Bank. The bank published a scheme by name "Sumangali Fixed Deposit Scheme" in the year 1990-91, offering to pay 27 times the deposit amount after 21 years to depositors, who are willing to deposit money under that scheme. The 2nd respondent deposited Rs. 25,000/-. The maturity value of the deposit was Rs. 6,75,000/-. The 2nd respondent demanded the maturity value of the deposit on expiry of the period of the deposit. Since the 2nd respondent was not paid the maturity value, he approached the 1st respondent-Kerala Co-operative Ombudsman constituted under the Kerala Co-operative Ombudsman Scheme, 2010, seeking appropriate relief in respect of the same. The appellant took the stand that the Ombudsman does not have powers to deal with such complaint and it is a matter ent