This happened to me. I have a current account with Syndicate bank Borivali west Mumbai 400092 branch. I have a list of troubles like delays in issuing bank statements, issuing only one check book after two days of request when the request is for two books, they charge 6/- per check etc. Its a shabby unkempt place - that branch!
But a week back they broke all records. I deposited a check and it has come back to me from clearing with the status mutilated.The banking rule is they do not accept check which is mutilated. The mutilation is a clear tear across the signature with transparent cello tape stickup.
Will the bank teller ever accept such a check in the first place. No way! I have check and double checked on the condition of that check until it was deposited. Its was whole and in once piece from my end.
So my conclusion is that its the handy work of some bank employee at Syndicate bank who has done this to get attention. It can be anyone from the manager to the teller or all of them hand-in-glove.
Incidentally, the check was issued by a senior retired ex-employee of the Reserve Bank of India who was also subjected to the same treatment and who then closed the account with that branch the same day.
If you trouble the customer he will run to the bank and Diwali Baksheesh can be demanded softly.
Well, they get this review on a major review site and I close the account there and move to another bank. No Diwali Bakshees for them.
Be careful people.