Legal Position of Entries in the Pass Book

It is difficult to define precisely the decisive legal effects of entries shown in the pass book. When it is issued to customer and if he does not raise any objection, obviously it becomes “account stated” or “settled account” between him and the banker. But there has been a conflict of opinion regarding conclusiveness of the pass book regarding entries made therein. Sir John Paget is of the view that “the proper function of a pass book is to constitute a conclusive, unquestionable record of the transactions between banker and customer, and it should be recognised as such.” He cites Daveyness Vs Noble case in support of his view. In this case, it was stated that on delivery of the pass book to the customer, he examines it and if there appears an error or omission, sends it back for rectification or if not, his silence is regarded as an admission that the entries are correct. In Vagliana Brothers Vs Bank of England, also it was held that “the return of a balanced pass book by the customer without comments amounts to settlement of account.” So, the return of pass book by the customer renders as a stated and settled account as on the particular date of balancing.

But the legal position both in England and in India is quite different. According to recent judicial decisions in England and India, the entries in the pass book cannot be regarded as a conclusive proof of their accuracy and as settled account. Any entry in the pass book is open to comparison and verification by customer. The customer can legitimately question the entries at any time whenever he notices them. The banker is bound to make the suitable corrections. The entries wrongly made or included may be advantages either to the customer or the banker. Both the parties can indicate the mistakes or omissions to get them rectified.

So entries made upto date are prima facie evidence and not conclusive evidence. In Keptigulla Rubber Estates Co. Vs National Bank of India, it was held that “When a pass book is returned to the bank by the customer without objection, the account cannot be regarded as settled account and it is not binding on both the banker and customer. In Mowji Vs Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Madras, it was stated that “the entries in the pass book can be regarded as prima facie evidence and not conclusive evidence.” Thus entries in the pass book are not conclusive evidence of their correctness, in stating the position of customer’s account. They are subject to alternation on the basis of real facts.