Odisha: For family needs, HC allows early withdrawal of FD

CUTTACK: In a relief to a woman seeking funds for urgent family needs , Orissa high court allowed premature encashment of her National Savings Time Deposit , overriding postal objections and setting a two-week deadline to process her request.

Justice Dixit Shripad quashed the Aug 5 order of postal authorities denying Priyadarsini Das withdrawal before the five-year maturity, citing Hindu law that recognises emergencies, social obligations and family needs.

Das needed money for a marriage. Her counsel argued amended Rule 8(d) of the 2019 scheme permits encashment after four years at lower interest. The high court said the rule “does not begin with negative phraseology” and cannot bar earlier withdrawal, noting “the funds in deposit belong to her and not to the entity which holds her money.”