Debangana Ray
Published on August 1, 2022 at 18:00 IST
The Bombay HC dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting a removal of regional names from the title of Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda as ignorant citizens might be confused about whether these are national or regional banks.
The Bench consisting of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik dismissed the PIL filed by Onkar Sharma calling it to be “misconceived”.
Mr. Sharma stated that the regional names of the banks were based on their place of origin. Later on, these banks have turned into national banks and are also recognized internationally.
However, the regional names of the banks may cause confusion between the regional, national and international status of the banks.
The Court contended that even though it is “not the province of this court to delve upon issues” regarding change of names of the banks, it is not a case that the “regional name has in any manner come in the way of banks’ growth.”
The plea made by Mr.Sharma did not contain any statutory provision which prohibited banks from using such regional names.
The High Court stated that, “These are ultimately matters for consideration of the administration/competent authorities of the concerned banks.”
Further it added, “We are more than satisfied that there is no semblance of public interest must less substantial public interest involved for entertaining the PIL petition. We fail to appreciate as to how this PIL petition aims at redressal of genuine public harm or public injury.”