ORDER

SRI.H.R. SRINIVAS, PRESIDENT

1.     This is the complaint filed by the complainant against the Opposite Party (herein referred to as OP) under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for the deficiency of service in not returning the advance amount and to return a sum of Rs.1,10,000/- along with interest at 18% per annum from the date of payment till payment of the entire amount and to pay Rs.25,000/- as damages for causing mental agony and Rs.25,000/- towards cost and other reliefs as the commission deems fit.

2.     The brief facts of the complaint are: that the complainant had booked hall of OP i.e. A.M.C Convention Centre on 14.01.2021 for his daughter’s marriage and paid advance of  Rs.1,10,000/- in order to block the dates. The marriage was to be performed on 27.05.2021 and 28.05.2021. The advance amount was paid by way of cheque and cash to OP a) Rs.1,00,000/- through cheque No.0002 drawn on Bank of Baroda and Rs.10,000/- by way of cash to OP. Due to pandemic situation COVID-19, there was entire nation-wide lockdown issued by the Government and the lockdown was upto May 2020 and government authorities directed citizens not to perform marriage in community halls or convention centre.  Further complainant performed his daughter’s marriage in his residence as per the guidelines issued by the State government and he requested that letter to OP seeking refund of the amount. Despite of his request, and visiting office of OP personally on many occasions, OP did not refund the amount of Rs.1,10,000/-. On 26.07.2021, left with no other alternative, constrained to issue legal notice. Inspite of the notice issued OP not refunded.  Hence there is deficiency in service on the part of OP. Hence the complaint.

3.     Upon service of notice, OP remained absent placed exparte.

4.     In order to prove the case, complainant filed his affidavit evidence and produced documents. Arguments Heard. The following points arise for our consideration:-

1. Whether the complainant has proved deficiency in service on the part of the opposite party?

2. Whether the complainant is entitled to the relief prayed for in the complaint?

5.     Our answers to the above points are:-

POINT NO 1 & 2: PARTLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE

                          For the following.

REASONS

POINT NO 1 & 2:

6.     It is not in dispute that the complainant booked the marriage hall of OP i.e. A.M.C Convention Centre on 14.01.2021 for his daughter’s marriage and paid advance of  Rs.1,10,000/- in order to block the marriage dates to  get performed the dates on 27.05.2021 and 28.05.2021 and paid the advance amount by way of cheque and cash to OP (Rs.1,00,000/- bearing cheque No.0002 drawn on Bank of Baroda and Rs.10,000/- by way of cash).  It is also not in dispute that by the end of March 2020 there was COVID-19 pandemic and the Government of India suspended/restricted the movement  of all the citizens and also put restrictions of mass gathering such as marriage, religious function and funerals.  When such being the case, the complainant could not  performed the marriage of his dates i.e  on 27.05.2021 and 28.05.2021.

7.     Inspite of service of notice, OP did not appear before this commission, nor contested the case,.  Further when the Government itself has banned all the activities of the marriage hall and put a total ban on the marriage to be held in the marriage hall or convention centers. Further Government of Karnataka has issued Circular dated:10.06.2020 bearing No. ACT(1)CR/01/2019-20 as follows:-

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8.     In view of the unfair trade practice of the OP, we direct OP to refund full advance amount less 5% of the total amount it received i.e. Rs.1,10,000(-) Rs.5,500 = Rs.1,04,500/- along with interest at 12% per annum from 14.01.2021  i.e booking the OP’s convention centre till payment of amount. Further we direct OP to pay Rs.20,000/- as damages and Rs.10,000/- towards the litigation expenses to the complainant. In view of this, we answer POINT NO.1 AND 2 PARTLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE and pass the following:-

ORDER

1. The complaint is partly allowed with cost.
2. OP i.e. “A.M.C. CONVENTION CENTRE” represented by its Proprietor/Authorized Signatory is hereby directed to pay a sum of Rs.1,04,500/- along with interest at 12% per annum from 14.01.2021  i.e date of booking the OP’s convention centre till payment of amount.
3. Further OP is also directed to pay Rs.20,000/- towards damages for causing mental agony, physical hardship and financial loss to the complainant and further a sum of Rs.10,000/- towards the litigation expenses to the complainant.
4. OP is hereby directed to comply the above order within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order and submit the compliance report to this Commission within 15 days thereafter.
5. Send a copy of this order to both parties free of cost.

Note: You are hereby directed to take back the extra copies of the Complaints/version, documents and records filed by you within one month from the date of receipt of this order.

(Dictated to the Stenographer over the computer, typed by him, corrected and then pronounced by us in the Open Commission on this day the 31^st day of MARCH 2022)

MEMBER                 MEMBER                PRESIDENT

ANNEXURES

1. Witness examined on behalf of the Complainant/s by way of affidavit:

Copies of Documents produced on behalf of Complainant/s:

Ex P1: Invitation in respect of complainant daughter’s marriage.

Ex P2: Pass book for having paid advance money to OP.

Ex P3: Copy of the receipt issued by OP.

Ex P4: Copy of addendum and order issued by Government of Karnataka.

Ex P5: Copy of the order dt: 21.05.2021 issued by Government of Karnataka.

Ex P6: Copy of the request letter

Ex P7: Postal acknowledgement.

Ex P8: Copy of the legal notice.

Ex P9: Postal acknowledgment.

2. Witness examined on behalf of the Opposite party/s by way of affidavit:

RW-1: - Nil-

Copies of Documents produced on behalf of Opposite Party/s

- Nil-

MEMBER                 MEMBER                PRESIDENT

RAK*