Mother nominated son in her savings bank a/c, but both died, father faced long delay in getting funds; Consumer Commission orders Rs 10,000 compensation

It is usually recommended to have a nominee for a bank account, so that when the account holder passes away, the bank can give the money to the nominee to be distributed among legal heirs. But what happens if the account holder and the nominee both die? In such situations, the surviving family member needs a legal heir certificate and other legal documents. While the process has become easier over time, a recent incident in Ernakulam, Keralam, shows how the common man still faces delays and challenges in these cases.

Mrs Radha from Rayamangalam had Rs 62,541 in her savings account at the Bank of India, Kuruppampady Branch, with her son Visaradan listed as the nominee. Tragically, both Radha and her son Visaradan passed away. The only surviving member in her family was her 83-year-old husband, Mr Govindan, a farmer who isn’t veru familiar with English.