
The Supreme Court on March 17, 2026, questioned the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on why details of bank accounts of deceased persons cannot be disclosed to their legal heirs. The court, hearing a petition by journalist Sucheta Dalal, urged the government to formulate a policy on sharing information about unclaimed deposits. The RBI has recommended creating a centralised, searchable database to help heirs trace dormant accounts. The Centre stated that genuine heirs can claim funds from the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. The court has scheduled further hearings for May 5.
Bias Analysis: The articles present perspectives from the judiciary, government, and petitioner without favoring any political stance. The Supreme Court's inquiry reflects a demand for transparency and policy clarity, while the government emphasizes existing mechanisms for heirs to claim funds. The petitioner advocates for a centralized database, highlighting consumer rights. Coverage remains focused on institutional roles rather than political debate.
Sentiment: The tone across the articles is neutral and procedural, focusing on the Supreme Court's request for policy formulation and government responses. There is no evident positive or negative sentiment; instead, the coverage emphasizes the legal process and administrative considerations surrounding unclaimed bank accounts of deceased persons.
Lens Score: 34/100 — Story is well-covered by media outlets. Public interest: 0/100. Coverage gap: 100%.
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