Legal Question in Banking Law in India

my mother-in-law had a safe deposit vault with union bank. however after her demise the account remained inoperative. however after four years i received a letter from the bank in the name of my mother-in-law asking to make a payment for the last four years along with penalty. they also mentioned that the yearly rent is collected by them in advance. my question is can they sit quiet for so many years and now demand the money. secondly am i liable to pay and if yes can there be any negotiations. please reply. thanks


Asked on 7/20/10, 2:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
J. Radhakrishnan independent Practice

The Bank has a general lien on the contents of the locker for their hire charges, irrespective of the lapse of more than 3 years since the demise of your mother in law. Who are all the heirs of your mother in law including your wife/husband (I do not know whether you r a male or female). Let all of them make a claim for the contents of the locker by following the bank's procedure for settlement of deceased constituent's assets with them. They have to pay the arrears of rent before they can be allowed to access the locker. If you feel some valuables might have been there in the locker, better negotiate with the Bank for early settlement of the legal heirs' claims to the contents of the locker.

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Answered on 7/20/10, 5:48 am


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