For the purpose of carrying out his duties under this Scheme, a Banking Ombudsman may require the bank named in the complaint or any other related bank to provide any information or furnish certified copies of any document relating to the subject matter of the complaint which is or is alleged to be in its possession.Provided that in the event of the failure of a bank to comply the requisition without any sufficient cause made under sub-clause (1) the Banking Ombudsman may, if he deems fit, draw the inference that the information, if provided or copies if furnished, would be unfavourable to the bank.(2)The Banking Ombudsman shall maintain confidentiality of any information or document coming into his knowledge or possession in the course of discharging his duties and shall not disclose such information or document to any person except with the consent of the person furnishing such information or document. Provided that nothing in this clause shall prevent the Banking Ombudsman from disclosing information or document furnished by a party in a complaint to the other party or parties, to the extent considered by him to be reasonably required to comply with the principles of natural justice and fair play in the proceedings.
