Man moves HC after ‘identity theft’ for two loans adding up to 36L
Times of India | 15 May 2025
Kolkata: Faced with a possibility of losing his assets for defaulting on loans taken in his name by someone else, a Kolkata resident has moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking relief from a bank for ‘identity theft'.Subhadip Mitra, according to his HC petition, was taken aback when he was refused a mobile phone purchase on EMI in Dec 2023, as his CIBIL score was dangerously low due to two loans—Rs 27,20,000 from Punjab National Bank and Rs 9,19,000 from Piramal Housing and Finance Limited—which he claimed he had not taken.It was found an Andul resident had used Mitra's Aadhar and PAN details to take the loans though the address provided was not his. Mitra lodged a complaint at the Topsia PS on Dec 27, '23. The finance company said he would not have to pay for the loan as it was not his. At the bank, Mitra found the photo used was not his. He approached the HC, claiming identity theft and misuse of his Aadhar and PAN by the accused to get a loan and buy a property.Instead of helping Mitra find his ‘namesake,' who according to his counsel was still untraced, the bank allegedly moved the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal to recover the loan, which remained unpaid. Mitra lodged a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman in 2024 but he was informed it was not maintainable. Justice Amrita Sinha, who heard the matter on Tuesday, directed the bank to provide documents, based on which the loan was given. When the bank counsel said they approached the tribunal, the judge asked, "What is his (petitioner) status? He is suffering from an identity crisis."The case will be heard on May 16. "His (Mitra) address was not part of the proceeding with PNB. Only when the debt recovery proceeded with the bank, was his address mentioned and he was made a party," he said. He also asked the inspector general of registration how a property was registered with irregular Aadhar and PAN details.