Renjith R of Ernakulam, Kerala, never thought that one day he would wear a lawyer’s gown and win cases fighting for consumer rights. For the 38-year-old Renjith of Aluva, the journey from being a litigant against HDFC Ltd, which denied him a home loan after taking a processing fee of Rs 3,090, to becoming a lawyer has been challenging.
On February 17, 2024, when Renjith enrolled as a lawyer at the Kerala High Court, he vowed to be not just a lawyer but a champion for the voiceless, working tirelessly to create a fairer and more just society for all.
Renjith was working as an accountant in a small supermarket when an executive of HDFC Ltd in 2013 approached him, promising a loan to build a house, a dream which he had been cherishing for a long time. But his dream was abruptly shattered when HDFC not only denied him the housing loan but also made the situation even more distressing for him by refusing to refund the processing fee. The setback ignited a fire within him to seek justice against HDFC by approaching a consumer court.
“When I sought a refund of the processing fee after they rejected my application, they behaved rudely with me and said there was no provision to refund the money. I decided to legally fight against them because it was totally unacceptable, and I found it fleecing,” Renjith told “Open Digest.”
Though Renjith was only a commerce graduate, he learned consumer laws and presented his case before the court by himself. “I took it as a challenge to fight against the injustice. I referred to a lot of law books and previous cases. During every hearing, I presented my arguments citing appropriate laws and previous judgments. Finally, I could win a favourable verdict against HDFC Ltd in the district consumer disputes redressal forum,” he said.
Though HDFC Ltd appealed against the order before the Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Renjith argued his case and won a favourable order. “During this time, I realised that if I could learn law, I can help people get justice mainly in consumer cases. So I joined a three-year LLB course in 2019,” he said.
Even while studying for LLB, Renjith continued with his fight against companies that violated consumer rights. He fought a case all by himself against Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited, which refused to reimburse the medical bill incurred for his wife’s treatment on August 4, 2022. Though Renjith submitted the claim documents, the company allegedly failed to consider his claim. The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, led by its president D B Binu, gave a judgment in favour of Renjith, directing the insurance company to reimburse the medical bill of Rs. 1.33 lakh and pay compensation of Rs. 40,000.
“These companies think that they have the resources to target common people. I am now more committed to taking cases of consumer rights violations,” Renjith added.
His journey from being denied a housing loan to becoming an advocate for consumer rights serves as a reminder that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and positive change.
If all fighting against HDFC is becoming lawyers, there will be billions of lawyers in the country. Their insurance arm is notorious for deceitful practices and can contribute substantially to make this country with full of lawyers.
They trap sr. Citizens with their pension schemes and when you ask for option of early return of premium they issue whole life annuity. If you forward option for commutation of the pension they deny receipt of the option and if you provide proof they say documents not clear the policy holder is treated in such lousy manner what will be fate of nominee. Even irdai does nothing. I will not touch another hdfclife policy with a barge pole. Though we revile lic they are much better. These idiots try every ploy to deny payment you can see the same depicted in Malayalam movie immanuel. And their insurance advisors do not have the policy policy holder interest at heart. Never Take a policy from Pvt players
Congratulations, Mr. Renjith, you will be surprised how many cases are there against HDFC life. They sell all kind of stories when selling policy and they show police documents dispatch backdated and actually send the documents only when 15 days period is just expiring so that the customer can not excercise his choice of rejecting the policy and ask for refund.
Net result is you loose entire money you paid as first installment. Check net you will find hundreds of complaints against HDFC life on this point.
This is biggest scam in HDFC.
Keep going. Country needs good lawyers
They trap sr. Citizens with their pension schemes and when you ask for option of early return of premium they issue whole life annuity. If you forward option for commutation of the pension they deny receipt of the option and if you provide proof they say documents not clear the policy holder is treated in such lousy manner what will be fate of nominee. Even irdai does nothing. I will not touch another hdfclife policy with a barge pole. Though we revile lic they are much better. These idiots try every ploy to deny payment you can see the same depicted in Malayalam movie immanuel. And their insurance advisors do not have the policy policy holder interest at heart. Never Take a policy from Pvt players
The smile on the face of the tiger is on till the prey is shared and then they show their true colours and they are supposed to be a premier organisation. I wonder whether the higher ups are aware of this or this has their approval.
Hi ..
Mr.Ranjth…
I am Ramesh Babu (48 years)from Bangalore…
Now I am studying 5th semester BALLB.
I defend in one illegal partition suit on my property, apeared in person and hon’l court allowed my application under order7 rule 11, rejection of plaint, and dismissed the plaint on 22 March 2024. I am very happy with justice..
It’s just coincidence as like me…
All the best dear…
Congratulations Rengit. I too fought against HDFC bank against their credit card fraud and won. May be I too should pursue this legal career option poat retirement 👍
Congratulations Rengit. I too fought against HDFC bank against their credit card fraud and won. May be I too should pursue this legal career option post retirement 👍
In my case,I have to fight in insurance ombudsman to get the claim.I have taken a health insurance policy for my wife when I made a claim in second year ,they refuse it .Although they were taking regular premium upto 4 years. Then they refund the premium for last year stating rejected. SO health insurance is very costly for common man
HDFC extended loan to builder for construction of 6 flats as per approved plan but the rogue builder constructed 8flats. Both unauthorised flats are in common areas deviated from approved plan. Worst part of it HDFC sanctioned housing loan to flat buyers including first buyer is a lawyer practices in Madras High court. Nexus between builder, borrower and HDFC is mockery. Competent authorities like corrupt ridden Chennai corporation and CMDA inaction on written genuine complaints for the past three years plus due to extraneous considerations. Shoddy construction and huge OHT capacity more than 40000lts Plus capacity without proper structure stability poses threat to structural stability of the apartment at 36 Akbarabad First Street Kodambakkam Chennai.
Congratulations Renjith!
Your case will definitely serves as a eye opener to many innocents who are getting trapped with the insurance companies.
Many companies, try to reject the claim, even the claim is genuine and legally the claimant is right.
Many of us do not want to go court or consumer redressal forum due to poor awareness on our rights and on the subject.
These companies teach their sales personal how to trap a common man at their weak point.
In my personal opinion, IRDA also support these companies, as they are not bothered on the percentage of claims processed, approved and rejected. Numbers and highlights given in the insurance portal are not believable. Once paid is ever lost!
Congratulations Renjith. Am a practising Advocate & Solicitor in Mumbai. Ironically I am fighting same case but against ICICI since 2015 before civil court and not consumer (due to limitation). It’s a trauma for an Advocate to be a victim. Am happy this case made you an advocate unlike my situation. Will surely post out come of my case, as and when happens. Do connect for future 9819875755.
If you do patronise corporates or businesses this is what happens. It is the once on the top to be blamed because they give unrealistic targets to those down the ladder.
Wel come to the club.
Congratulations
I am also caught in a HDFC credit card Loan which a scamster took using my credit card by hacking my phone. I have filed a cyber crime complaint, a Consumer Court complaint. HDFC is pushing the loan liability on me I am 70 and a widow. No job no financial support all relatives are useless good for nothing. If it turns against me I will declare am pauper arrest me if you can. I have not consented to this loan via phone call or signed any terms and conditions. It’s atrocious how banks grant loan without any employees involvement.
Well Done.
Congratulations Renjith. We had to fight to get full refund of insured amount after it was matured. It was taken in my daughter’s name. We had to pay additional amount along with each premium instalment for 10 years as HDFC demanded after the insurance agreement was signed and first premium was paid. Though there were no defaults in instalment payments first of all they delayed the payment on time through some hooks and crooks. Therefore my daughter could not meet her financial commitments on time. More disappointing thing was they refused to pay the the additional premium amounts paid for ten years. Although we approached Ombudsman and fought the case for several months the outcome was not at all satisfying as a very meagre amount was only received. Though several requests were made to Ombudsman we were only discouraged as they were not willing to follow up with HDFC. I would not recommend HDFC for insurance to anyone as it will be miserable.
I hope the fire keeps burning in him to also help many hapless people caught in the web of soulless lawyers and the system that protects those dishonest lawyers.
You are talking about HDFC, United India Insurance takes the cake for deceitful practices as even after 10 yrs when you dont claim and have paid more than 5 lacs as premium , they reimburse 40-50% only of the claims after protracted correspondance and ensure you are tired out – Retired persons are made to re-tire themselves as done by the builders . When you get both eyes Cataracted out, United India ways are strange. items allowed for Left eye is disallowed for right and vice versa and there is no logic or reply and best not to get into these and go for only TATAs who have some ethical approach .
In contrast , Railways or CGHS are extraordinarily fair and emphathetic to their employees or their retired personnel. Ultimately not always there is much meaning in going for Insurance. Better to pay well run but moderately priced hospitals rather than these Dalals
Congrats Renjith.i am retired and a management accountant as well as a Law degree holder wasting my time without helping public . I can work freelance if you want to manage your work load issues..Pl let me know..
Regards
Ram
Sir i need your help to fight in consumer commision, we are loosing our house. I have all proofs against the finance company. Please help me. Please send me your contact details.
To arque, in the consumers court no need of a lawyer. Victim can arque himself. I have arqued and succeeded.
Thanks all.. Iam Adv Renjith. R mentioned in the above article. If any want legal assistance in consumer rights please call me 9288288143
I would like to know his contact number.
I do have a very bad experience with HDFC SLIC. After paying for 5-6 years for a family medical cover, they made me escalate to the chief operating officer. Smartly they refused to renew the premium after first claim. They are one of the worst, when it comes to customer care of when it comes to what a customer is entitled for
Hdfc insurance has fleeced money from me too for 2 years and abruptly in creased premium by many fold without Info. With no other go u wasforced to discontinue the policy
Payment in advance for rendering service, few companies doing illegal ways. Even the credit check, If they do without your consent, they are aginst the violation of finance. If those finance company not able to provide loans, being a consumer, your fund must get back.
Payment in advance for rendering service, few companies doing illegal ways. Even the credit check, If they do without your consent, they are aginst the violation of finance. If those finance company not able to provide loans, being a consumer, your fund must get back.
Lucky persons find good judges to bring justice in their cases,ofcourse it is rare.
Currently I am transferring my home loan to hdfc and going for top up loan too. To me also hdfc dealing looks weird but i have no choice. Other bank denied my loan transfer.
I am also fighting a case against my builder and with knowledge and information available online, I have prepared my case on own and successfully defended my case in my favour in district forum and now same is under appeal by opposite parties at State level. Hopefully it will again sail through as I have documentary evidences and previous relevant judgements at different forums. If we as individual will be able to raise our voice definitely we are self-sufficient to argue our case logically.
Hearty Congrats Renjith for your determination and perseverance in fighting the injustice meted out to you. I too had a similar experience with HDFC, but escalated the matter with their Chairman’s Office, who promptly redressed my grievance and arranged for refund of processing fees within 48 hours. Glad to hear that your persistence to pursue Law Degree has borne fruit. Hearty Congrats on your focused efforts towards this. May God bless you in all your endeavors in future!
Regards,
Joseph Samuel
The best is yet to be!
God Speed!
And may we have your contact number please?
Thanks you so much . Even I am one of you and now doing LLB ,Today I gave my first semister first paper .
You are a inspiration for everyone and as a man of 57 years I would says everyone should go for llb to fight for our right
Sanjeev Singhal
Delhi
Good luck help people who are left unattended by the system or cheating of insurance companies in this star health is one of such companies who cheat rejecting claims for flingthy reasons
ADV Renjith R call. 9288288143