Madhya Pradesh Consumer forum has ordered Central Government, Railway Department, to pay compensation of Rs 15,000 plus interest for failing to provide promised to a customer, who had reserved a berth for Rs 1,500.
Madhya Pradesh Consumer forum has ordered Central Government, Railway Department, to pay compensation of Rs 15,000 plus interest for failing to provide promised to a customer, who had reserved a berth for Rs 1,500.
Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission slashed even second appeal in the case and ordered the Railway Department to pay the compensation as per The Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Commission Chairman Justice Shantanu S Kemkar and member SS Basal have noted in the order that according to the evidence on record, it is proved that the gates of coach B-1 of the train in question were not open. Therefore, it will be considered as a shortcoming in railway service.
Case file
Plaintiff Seema Jain wife of Ashok Kumar Jain had booked a berth in AC / Jhelum Express train number 11078 on 22-12-2012. Berth numbers 41, 42 and 44 were reserved in three tier B-1 coaches.
The plaintiffs came and stood at the designated place of B-1 coach of the platform. When the train arrived, both the gates of the B-1 coach were checked.
Even after knocking on the door several times, the gates of the coach were not opened. Further, no attendant came out and informed any reason.
Due to this, the defendants and her husband had to leave 3 coaches and come in through the door of AC B-4 coach. They complained for inconvenience in getting in the reserved B-1 coach.
The order
Despite having three berths reserved in the AC3 Tier B-1 coach in 2012, the plaintiffs had to face inconvenience. Since the coach was locked from inside the gate of the coach and not opened for the plaintiffs, the forum has ordered compensation of Rs. 15,000. Further payment of Rs. 1,500 has to be paid by the department.
The total amount will be computed along with interest on the amount at the rate of 9% per annum from April 2013 till the date of its payment has to be paid.
The cost of consumer forum charges will be borne by both the appellants.
Consumer Rights in India
Consumer Protection Act guarantees six basic rights to consumers: right to choose the product; right to be protected from all kinds of hazardous goods; right to be informed about the performance and quality of all products; right to be heard in all decision-making processes related to consumer interests; right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed; right to complete consumer education.
Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission slashed even second appeal in the case and ordered the Railway Department to pay the compensation as per The Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Commission Chairman Justice Shantanu S Kemkar and member SS Basal have noted in the order that according to the evidence on record, it is proved that the gates of coach B-1 of the train in question were not open. Therefore, it will be considered as a shortcoming in railway service.
Case file
Plaintiff Seema Jain wife of Ashok Kumar Jain had booked a berth in AC / Jhelum Express train number 11078 on 22-12-2012. Berth numbers 41, 42 and 44 were reserved in three tier B-1 coaches.
The plaintiffs came and stood at the designated place of B-1 coach of the platform. When the train arrived, both the gates of the B-1 coach were checked.
Even after knocking on the door several times, the gates of the coach were not opened. Further, no attendant came out and informed any reason.
Due to this, the defendants and her husband had to leave 3 coaches and come in through the door of AC B-4 coach. They complained for inconvenience in getting in the reserved B-1 coach.
The order
Despite having three berths reserved in the AC3 Tier B-1 coach in 2012, the plaintiffs had to face inconvenience. Since the coach was locked from inside the gate of the coach and not opened for the plaintiffs, the forum has ordered compensation of Rs. 15,000. Further payment of Rs. 1,500 has to be paid by the department.
The total amount will be computed along with interest on the amount at the rate of 9% per annum from April 2013 till the date of its payment has to be paid.
The cost of consumer forum charges will be borne by both the appellants.
Consumer Rights in India
Consumer Protection Act guarantees six basic rights to consumers: right to choose the product; right to be protected from all kinds of hazardous goods; right to be informed about the performance and quality of all products; right to be heard in all decision-making processes related to consumer interests; right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed; right to complete consumer education.