Taking the bank to task for indulging in “cavalier conduct and unpardonable negligence”, Justice J D Kapoor said the “conduct of the bank has not only defamed but also demeaned the profession as a whole”. Kapoor awarded the complainant, Saket-based advocate Nivedita Sharma, a compensation of Rs 50,000.

The bank, though, refuted the charge that it was not giving credit cards to advocates and said it would appeal against order before an appropriate forum.

In her complaint, Sharma said the bank offered her a free-of-cost credit card facility after she declined their offer for a loan. “After much insistence, I applied for the card,” she told the consumer panel. “I was surprised to get back the application after a few days with the endorsement that designation of advocate has a negative profile.”