The Ombudsman must decide complaints on their merits without overlooking procedural rights.

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 27^th day of January, 2026

1. Petitioner has filed this Writ Petition challenging Ext.P9 Order of the Banking Ombudsman. As per the Ext.P9 Order, the Banking Ombudsman closed Ext.P6 complaint of the Petitioner, holding that based on the information provided in the complaint itself, it is observed that another complaint in respect of the same cause of action is already dealt with on merits by the Ombudsman.

2. The learned Counsel for the Petitioner submitted that the Petitioner did not file any complaint prior to the complaint which ended in the Ext.P9 Order. The learned Counsel for the Bank also could not point out any earlier complaint by the Petitioner before the Banking Ombudsman. On perusal of Ext.P6 complaint also, I do not find any reference to any earlier complaint in the said complaint. The finding of the Ombudsman is without any reference to the details of the earlier complaint. I find that the Petitioner has not filed any complaint earlier in respect of the same cause of action. The Ombudsman ought to have disposed of the complaint of the Petitioner in accordance with law on merits.

3. Accordingly, I set aside the Ext.P9 Order and direct the Respondent No.1 - Banking Ombudsman to consider the Ext.P6 complaint on merits in accordance with law within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this judgment.