Ld. Advocate(s)

                                                For Complainant: Romeet Sil

                                                For OP/OPs : None

            Date of filing of the case                 :04.09.2023

            Date of Disposal  of the case                      :30.11.2023

Final Order / Judgment dtd.30.11.2023

            The basic fact of the case  of the complainant in brief is that the complainant Sri Chanchal Biswas, Nabin Biswas, Mohiruddin Mondal, Sanjay Biswas and Bikash Biswas are friends  and jointly  planned  for a family tour to Shimla, Kulu and Manali on and from24.03.2023 for the purpose  of advance towards ticket and hotel booking  and other tour  packages  gave a detail tour plan  for 13 members including  their family  members. The OP Kishor Mondal as a tour operator demanded a sum of Rs.70,000/- from the complainants  for booking advance up and down train tickets booking for that tour  on 21.11.2021. The complainant No.1 Chanchal Biswas after collecting the money paid Rs.70,000/- to the OP through phone pay bearing no.9434451171 linked with the State Bank of India, Badkulla Branch being account no.31596956421 at his phone pay no.9123095670. The OP assured for the said journey from Howrah Station for which the booking started 4 months ahead from the date of travel on 24.03.2023. The OP also assured that the advance return tickets  for return journey  from Chandigarh Railway Station  will be booked  on 01.12.2022 for the return  date  or 01.04.2023. Thereafter, the tickets were confirmed but on 01.12.2022, the OP negligently did not book the advance return journey ticket from Chandigarh. After several enquiries   the OP finally booked the advance ticket from Chandigarh Station on 12.12.2022. Due to the said negligent delay the advance tickets status became RAC or reservation against cancellation. Due to such  negligent  act of the OP, the complainants  become frustrated  and they requested  to cancel  the entire tickets  and refund  the said sum of Rs.70,000/- as the advance  return tickets were not confirmed. The OP subsequently, informed  the complainant that all the train tickets were cancelled  but did not refund the  said money. Despite repeated requested  the OP failed to refund the said advance  money  of Rs.70,000/-.Thus the  OP has acted  in a manner  which tantamounts  to deficiency in service.  The complainants therefore, lodged a complaint to the C.A & F.B.P Department Nadia Regional Office. Despite receipt of the notice  the OP did not  appear  and finally  the proceedings  before the F.B.P Department  was closed  on 02.08.2023 with a direction  to the complainant  to file  the case before the appropriate  Forum. The cause of action for the present  case arose on 15.03.2023. The complainants , therefore,  prayed  for an award for Rs.70,000/- towards principal amount, with 15% interest from the  date of receipt  of the amount on 21.11.2022, Rs.1,50,000/- towards mental pain and agony and Rs.25,000/- towards litigation cost and other reliefs at the discretion  of the Commission.

The notice  of this case  was served  upon  the OP Kishor Mondal  on 14.09.2023 but the OP did not  appear  or file  any  W/V within the  statutory period  and as such  the case was decided  to be heard ex-parte against the OP as per order no. 4 dated 30.10.2023.

The complainants in order to substantiate the case adduced evidence in the form of affidavit in chief by Chanchal Biswas on behalf of all the complainants on 24.11.2023. The complainants categorically stated the entire facts and grievance of the complainants as stated in the complaint in the form of affidavit in chief.

The complainants also proved the following documents in course of evidence.

Annexure-1 is the detailed tour  plan along with  list of traveller . \

Annexure-2 ,3 and 4 are photocopy of screen short of payment through phone pay and whatsapp  message.

Annexure-5 is the copy of pass book  and bank account  of petitioner  number-1.

Annexure-6 is the copy of Whatsapp conversation  between the complainant and the OP.

Annexure-7 is the e-mail dated 15.03.2023 sent by OP.

Annexure-8 is the copy of petition before the Assistant Director of Consumer Affairs.

            As per  order number 4 dated 30.10.2023 the OP did not file  W/V within the  statutory period  so the case is decided  to be heard ex-parte  against  the  OP.

            The complainants in order to substantiate the case proved all the documents  and adduced evidence by  filing affidavit in chief. The  entire evidence  of the  complainant  stands unchallenged  and un-discarded  in as much as  the OP did not prefer  not to contest the  case. Accordingly  the case is decided  to be heard ex-parte.

Thus  after assessing  the entire  oral  evidence  in the form  of affidavit in chief and the documentary evidence  as per Annexure-1 to 8 the Commission comes to the  filing  that the complainants successfully proved  the case against the OP. So the complainants  are entitled to get the award. The misdeeds  of the OP tantamount  to deficiency  in service.  Consequently  the complaint case succeeds ex-parte against  the OP with cost.

Hence,

            It is                 

Ordered

                                                                                    that the complaint case No.    CC/90/2023 be and the same is allowed ex-parte with cost of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand). The complainants Chanchal Biswas, Nabin Biswas, Mohiruddin Mondal, Bikash Biswas and Kishor Mondal do get an award against  the OP Kishor Mondal for a sum of Rs.70,000/- (Rupees seventy thousand) as principal amount together  with interest  at the rate of 15% per annum from 21.11.2022 till the date of payment , Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) for mental pain and agony and deficiency in service and Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand) towards litigation cost. The OP is directed  to refund the award money of Rs.1,30,000/- (Rupees One lakh thirty thousand) together  with 15% interest to the complainants within 30 days from the date of final order till the date of realisation  failing which  the entire  award money  shall carry interest  at the rate of 8% per annum.

D.A to note in the trial register.

The case is accordingly disposed of.

Let a copy of this final order be supplied to both the parties at free of costs.

Dictated & corrected by me

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                PRESIDENT

(Shri   HARADHAN MUKHOPADHYAY,)                                ................ ..........................................

                                                                                                                          PRESIDENT

                                                                                               (Shri   HARADHAN MUKHOPADHYAY,)

I  concur,

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          MEMBER                                                                

(NIROD  BARAN   ROY  CHOWDHURY)