DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, KOZHIKODE

PRESENT: Sri. P.C. PAULACHEN, M.Com, LLB           : PRESIDENT

Smt. PRIYA.S, BAL, LLB, MBA (HRM) :  MEMBER

Sri.V. BALAKRISHNAN, M Tech, MBA, LL.B, FIE: MEMBER

Thursday  the 29^th   day of  February 2024

CC.304/2019

Complainants

1.                   K. Vijayan Panicker, (Died)

                Devi Dersan, Karayur,

                Kottappadi Post,

                Guruvayur,

                Thrissur -680505.

2.                   Nirmala. V. Panicker,

Devi Dersan, Karayur,

Kottappadi Post,

                            Guruvayur,

Thrissur -680505.

Suppl 3.Suppl. 3.                Devi,

                Devi Dersan, Karayur,

                Kottappadi Post,

               Guruvayur,

                Thrissur -680505.

(The first complainant died. Second complainant is recorded and the supplemental third complainant is impleaded as the legal representatives of the deceased 1^st complainant as per order dated 26/07/2023 in IANo. 206/2023)

Opposite Parties

1.                  Proprietor,

Kerala Travel Zone,

Krishna, pantheerankavue Post,

Kozhikode – 673 019.

2.                  Vijayan Kannan,

C-E-O, Kerala Travel Zone,

Krishna, pantheerankavue Post,

Kozhikode – 673 019.

ORDER

By Sri. P.C. PAULACHEN  – PRESIDENT

            This is a complaint filed under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

2.  The case of the complainants, in brief, is as follows:

The complainants are husband and wife. The complainants booked Singapore-Malaysia tour to be conducted by the opposite parties on 21/05/2018 and paid Rs. 1,30,000/- as advance on 19/04/2018. But thereafter nothing was heard from the opposite parties. Though the opposite parties were contacted over telephone, there was no proper answer. They were not ready to refund the amount. On 23/08/2019 their passport were returned with 2 post-dated cheques for Rs. 20,000/- each. The complaint is filed for refund of Rs. 1,30,000/- along with compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- from the opposite parties.

3. The opposite parties were set ex-parte.
4. The first complainant is reported dead. The second complainant was recorded and the suppl. third complainant was impleaded as the legal representatives of the deceased first complainant as per order dated 26/07/2023 in IA No. 206/2023.
5. The points that arise for determination in this complaint are;                                                                                                                          1) Whether there was any unfair trade practice or deficiency of service on the part of the opposite parties, as alleged?                        2)  Reliefs and costs.
6. The second complainant has filed affidavit.   Exts A1 to A5   were marked.
7. Heard.  
8. Point No 1: The second complainant has filed affidavit in terms of averments in the complaint and in support of the claim. Ext A1 is the copy of the itinerary, Ext A2 is the copy of the receipts, Ext A3 is the document showing visa requirements, Ext A4 are the copies of the passport and Ext A5 is the e-visa copy.
9. The evidence of the complainants stands unchallenged. The opposite parties have not turned up to file version. They have not produced any evidence to disprove the averments in the complaint or to rebut the veracity of the documents produced and marked on the side of the complainants. There is no contra evidence to disprove the claim. The case of the complainants stands proved through affidavit and Exts A1 to A5 documents. Unfair trade practice and deficiency of service on the part of the opposite parties stands proved.
10. It is stated in the affidavit that the two cheques for Rs. 20,000/- each given to them were encashed by the complainants. The complainants are entitled to get refund of the balance amount of Rs. 90,000/- from the opposite parties. Undoubtedly, the act of the opposite parties has resulted in gross mental agony and inconvenience to the complainants, for which, they are entitled to be compensated adequately. Considering the entire facts and circumstances, we are of the view that a sum of Rs. 20,000/- will be reasonable compensation in this case. The opposite parties are jointly and severally liable.
11. Point No. 2:- In the light of the finding on the above point, the complaint is disposed of as follows;
    1. CC.304/2019 is allowed in part.
    2. The opposite parties are directed to pay a sum of Rs. 90,000/- (Rupees ninety thousand only) to the complainants.
    3. The opposite parties are directed to pay compensation of Rs. 20,000/-   (Rupees twenty thousand only)  to the complainants for the mental agony and hardship suffered.   
    4. The payment as afore stated shall be made within 30 days of the receipt of copy of this order, failing which, the amount of Rs. 90,000/-   shall carry an interest of 6% per annum from the date of this order till  actual payment.
    5. No order as to costs.

Pronounced in open Commission on this, the 29^th day of February, 2024.

Date of Filing: 25.09.2019

                                              Sd/-                                                                    Sd/-                                                   Sd/-

                                      PRESIDENT                                                        MEMBER                                       MEMBER

APPENDIX

Exhibits for the Complainant :

Ext A1 -  Copy of the itinerary,

Ext A2 - Copy of the receipts,

Ext A3 - Document showing visa requirements,

Ext A4 - Copies of the passport and Ext A5 is the e-visa copy.

Ext  A5 - E-visa copy.

Exhibits for the Opposite Party

NIL.

Witnesses for the Complainant

NIL

Witnesses for the opposite party

 NIL

                                                  Sd/-                                                                   Sd/-                                                    Sd/-

                                        PRESIDENT                                                         MEMBER                                       MEMBER

True Copy,     

                                                                                                                                                           Sd/-

                                                            Assistant Registrar.