DATE OF FILING :22/01/16 

IN THE CONSUMER DISPUTES  REDRESSAL FORUM, IDUKKI

Dated this the 28th day of September 2018

Present :

SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR PRESIDENT

           SRI. BENNY. K. MEMBER

CC NO. 28/2016

Between

Complainant       :   Saji P.P., S/o Pappachan,

                                                                              Pazhayalackal House,

                                                                              Marigiri P.O.,

                                                                              Murikkasery

(By Adv: Vikraman Nair N.G.)

And

Opposite Party                                            : 1 . The Managing Partner,

                                                                              Centuary Finance,

                                                                              Vypara Bhavan Building,

                                                                              A.M.Road, Kuruppampady.

                                                                              (By Adv: V.K.Shaji)

                                                                         2 . The Branch Manager,

                                                                               Centuary Finance,

                                                                               Thoprankudy.

 

O R D E R

SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR (PRESIDENT)

 

The case  of the complainant is that,  

 

Complainant purchased an Autorickshaw from one Biju, when the hire purchase agreement with the opposite party's bank was in force with the knowledge and concurrence of the opposite party bank authorities.  At the time of purchase it was agreed to pay the balance loan amount by the complainant.  At that time original RC owner, said Biju had remitted 5 instalments and complainant is agreed to remit balance 29 instalments            @ Rs.4200/- per months.  At the time of availing the loan, the original RC book of the vehicle was in the custody of the opposite parties, and when complainant purchased this vehicle, he entrusted three blank cheque leaf to the opposite parties, as they demanded.  The complainant had remitted          23 instalments thereafter he failed to remit further instalments due to some unforeseen   circumstances.    The complainant    further     averred   that    the

                                                                                                                           (Cont.....2)

-2-

complainant repaid more than 96,600/- as principal amount and interest and the opposite parties demanding a huge amount over and above the actual instalments, and they are trying to take forceful possession of the vehicle.  Against this complainant filed this petition alleging deficiency in service against the opposite parties, and prayed for allowing relief such as to direct them to withdraw from forcible possession of the vehicle bearing  Reg.No.KL/37A/6356 and also direct them to return the security  cheque and restrain them from charging exorbitant interest etc.

 

Along with the complaint, complainant filed an interim petition for directing the opposite parties to produce the RC book before this Forum for conducting vehicle test.  In reply to this petition opposite parties filed an affidavit stating that the RC book is with the registered owner and also the opposite parties issued no objection certificate for applying for a duplicate RC book.  When the complainant approached the registering authority, Vandiperiyar, he came to know that the opposite parties entrusted the RC book to their agent at the time of previous testing of their vehicle.  Hence the complainant filed a petition before this Forum for amending the complainant.  The Forum allowed the petition, the complainant carried out amendment and the further added, the  damages which  he caused due to the non-issuance of the RC book by the opposite parties.  He pleaded that due to the non-issuance of RC book, registering authority denied the vehicle testing due to that the vehicle was not in a position for use, and thereby he caused a damage of      Rs.2 Lakhs.

 

Upon notice opposite parties entered appearance and filed reply version by denying all the averment in the complaint.  In their version opposite parties further contented that, they have no branches in Thoprankudy, and for attracting jurisdiction, the complainant stated the transaction in Idukki District.    Complainant always transferred the instalments from Federal Bank Thoprankudy to opposite parties office at Kuruppampady.  As per the statement of account on 02/10/15, the 14th  instalments of the said loan was due and on request the complainant approached the first opposite party, and issued a cheque of Rs.34,000/-.  The opposite parties presented the cheque    on 24/11/15 and it was returned dishonoured.  On getting information about the presentation of the cheque, the complainant hurriedly approached this Forum  and  filed  this  complaint.   Opposite   parties  further  contented   that

                                                                                                                          (Cont.....3)

-3-

 

the RC book is with the registered owner of the vehicle.  The complainant had remitted only 22 instalments in the loan, the opposite parties are ready to issue for loan termination letter if the complainant pays the balance instalments.  For convincing this matter, the opposite parties issued the loan statement of account to the complainant directly.  Matter being so, the allegation levelled against the opposite parties are false and baseless and there is no deficiency in service or unfair trade practice happened in this matter on the side of the opposite parties.  It is also admitted fact that, opposite parties bank presented one cheque of the complainant for an amount of Rs.34,000/- through the bankers and it was returned unpaid due to insufficiency of funds on 09/12/15.  Immediately after the acceptance of returned cheque, the opposite parties bank issued a legal notice to the complainant on 23/12/15 and the complainant accepted the notice on 26/12/15.  After the acceptance of the legal notice U/s 138 of the negotiable instrument Act, complainant approached this Forum and filed this complaint on 22/01/16.  The complainant himself produced the attested copy of private complaint filed against him by the opposite parties, before the JFMC, Kuruppampady and that case in under trial.

 

Evidence adduced by the complainant by way of proof affidavit and documents.  Complainant was examined as PW1 and Ext.P1 to Ext.P3 were marked.  Ext.P1(s) are the receipt issued by the first opposite party, Ext.P2 is the copy of instalments remittance card, Ext.P3 is the copy of complaint         U/s 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act filed by the opposite parties against the complainant. From the apposite parties side opposite parties filed two documents which was marked as Ext.R1 and Ext.R2.  Ext.R1 is the letter issued by the opposite parties to the complainant, Ext.R2 is the copy of legal notice dated 22/12/15.

 

Heard both sides,

 

The point that arose for consideration is whether there is any deficiency in service from the part of opposite parties, and if so, for what relief the complainant is entitled to ?

 

                                                                                                                          (Cont.....4)

 

-4-

 

The Point:- We have heard the counsels for both the parties and gone through the evidence on record.  It is an admitted fact that, the complainant is a defaulter of loan instalments with the opposite parties bank.  In his deposition and proof affidavit he admitted that altogether he paid 22 instalments and has ready to pay balance instalments and he is bound to pay it.

 

Then the matter regarding the custody of RC book of the vehicle.  For this purpose, the opposite parties bank filed an affidavit stating that it is not with him, and they entrusted the RC book to the original RC owner of the vehicle Mr.Biju.  They repeated this matter in their reply version also.  But the complainant has not took any effort to summon the original RC owner to find out, the actual custodian of the RC book.  Hence the complainant miserably failed to adduce the best evidence for convincing the Forum that the RC book is with the opposite parties bank.  Hence the version regarding the RC book connot be believable or admissible.

 

On the basis of the above discussion complaint partly allowed, the complainant is directed to remit the balance  instalments along with 12% interest to the opposite parties bank within  3 months from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.  The opposite parties are directed to receive the defaulted instalments with the said rate of interest, without charging  any penal interest, if the complainant comply the direction of this Forum, as full and final settlement of this transaction and issue NOC to the vehicle.  Failing which the opposite parties shall at liberty to initiate thereown proceedings to recover the loan dues from the complainant.  No order to cost or compensation.

 

Pronounced in the Open Forum on this the 28th day of September, 2018.

 

                                                                                                    Sd/-

                                                                                  SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR (PRESIDENT)

                                                                                                           Sd/-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

             SRI. BENNY. K.  (MEMBER)

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                         (Cont.....5)

-5-

 

APPENDIX

 

Depositions :

On the side of the Complainant :

PW1               - Saji P.P.

On the side of the Opposite Party :

Nil

Exhibits :

On the side of the Complainant :

Ext.P1(s)    -  The receipt issued by the first opposite party           

Ext.P2         -  The copy of instalments remittance card

Ext.P3       -  The copy of complaint U/s 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act filed 

                     by the opposite parties against the complainant

On the side of the Opposite Party :

Ext.R1     - The letter issued by the opposite parties to the complainant

Ext.R2     - The copy of legal notice dated 22/12/15.

 

 

               Forwarded by Order,

 

                     SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT