DATE OF FILING :28/07/17 

IN THE CONSUMER DISPUTES  REDRESSAL FORUM, IDUKKI

Dated this the 3rd  day of November 2018

Present :

SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR PRESIDENT

           SRI. BENNY. K. MEMBER

CC NO. 154/2017

Between

Complainant       :    Bindhu Binu, W/o Binu,

                                                                              Vijayamandiram,

                                                                              Kattappana South P.O., 

                                                                               Pallikkavala, Idukki District.

 

And

Opposite Party                               :   The Director,

                                                               Maheendra & Maheendra, Financial Services Ltd.,

                                                              1st Floor Sehiyon Plazza, 

                                                               Near BSNL Office, Kattappana.

 

O R D E R

SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR (PRESIDENT)

 

The case  of the complainant is that,  

 

The Complainant availed a vehicle loan of Rs.1,45,000/- from the  opposite party's company and agreed to repay it with 42 monthly instalments  @ Rs.5,300/- per months.  For the security of this loan, complainant entrusted 15 blank signed cheque leaves to the opposite party  at the time of sanctioning of the loan.  In this loan account complainant remitted only six instalments from January 2014 to June 2014.  Thereafter failed to remit the balance instalments due to the financial  problems.  Hence the complainant surrendered the vehicle to the opposite party on 27/11/14.  At the time of surrendering, the opposite party assured  that they will close the loan account and return the documents immediately.    Thereafter the complainant approached the opposite party for getting back the blank cheque leaves  and also to know the selling price of the vehicle.  But the opposite party without giving any such information, on 02/02/17 issued a legal notice to the complainant demanding him to pay Rs.1,18,645/- as loan arrears.  The complainant  further   stated   that   even   after  surrendering  the  vehicle  and

 

                                                                                                                           (Cont....2)

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without giving any proper  information about the  auction  sale  of the surrendered vehicle, demanding a huge amount as loan dues is a gross deficiency on the part of the opposite party.  Against this the complainant filed this petition for directing the opposite party to return the cheque leaves which were entrusted to them by the complainant and also direct them to pay cost and compensation.

 

Upon notice opposite party entered appearance and filed reply version contenting that as per the agreement entered into the complainant and the opposite party, complainant is bound to  make additional payments upon the premature closing of the loan.  The averment such as the opposite party had agreed to close the loan account upon surrender of the vehicle was only the pious wish of the complainant.  Opposite party  further contented that opposite party had not collected any blank cheque leaves from the complainant and the opposite party is not in possession of any such documents.  On the other hand, the complainant owes huge amount to the opposite party  and she is liable to pay the amount and the complaint is filed in an attempt to save herself from the legal consequence arising out of the non payment of the amount due to the opposite party.

 

Evidence adduced by the complainant by way of proof affidavit and documents.  Complainant was examined as PW1 and Ext.P1 to Ext.P5 were marked.  Ext.P1 is the copy of cash receipt, Ext.P2 is the notice of legal service authority dated 08/03/17, Ext.P3 is the demand notice issued by the opposite party dated 02/02/17, Ext.P4 is the loan dues demand notice, Ext.P5 is the policy certificate.

 

From the defence side documents produced are marked as Ext.R1 to Ext.R6.  Ext.R1 is the copy of a letter issued by the complainant to the opposite party dated 26/11/14, Ext.R2 is the copy of a demand notice dated 27/11/14, Ext.R3 is the copy of a demand notice dated 06/01/15, Ext.R4 is the copy of demand notice dated 11/05/15, Ext.R5 is the copy of the affidavit and Ext.R6 is the copy of disposed of assets.

 

Heard both sides,

 

 

                                                                                                                          (Cont....3)

 

-3-

 

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 ?

 

The Point:- We have heard the counsel for both sides and had gone through the evidence  on record.  It is an admitted fact that complainant availed vehicle loan of Rs.1,45,000/- from the opposite party, in the month of January 2014.  In this account the complainant remitted 6 instalments out of 42 instalments.  Thereafter he surrendered the vehicle to the opposite party on 27/11/14 on the reason that, she was unable to pay the future instalments. From the records it is clear that in the month of January the complainant availed the loan and paid 6 instalments and she surrendered the vehicle in the month of November 2014, ie, within one year of sanctioning the loan, the complainant surrendered the vehicle.  The actual amount to be repaid in the loan amount is 2,22,600/- including the finance charges.  After remitting an amount of Rs.31,800/- the complainant surrendered the vehicle to the opposite party.  Opposite party has not a case that, at the time of surrender the vehicle it was not in a road warranty condition.   On the other hand as per Ext.R5 affidavit, the purchaser of the vehicle it is specifically stated that the vehicle is in a good and satisfactory condition.

 

The main allegation levelled against the opposite party by the complainant is that, the opposite party concealed the fact of auction sale and has not completed the procedure before conducting auction sale of the vehicle.  The auction sale, details of auction purchases and auction price are revealed by the opposite party before this Forum alone at the time of trial.   Nothing relating the auction of the said vehicle was not stated in their reply version also.  On going through Ext.R6, it is seen that the vehicle was sold to one Shybin K.P, for an amount of Rs.39600/-.  Except this documents no evidence is produced by the opposite party to show that this fact was timely informed to the complainant.  More over opposite party failed to produce any evidence to convince that they conducted auction proceedings after complying the usual auction   formalities such as to inform the party the date, place and times  of  action etc.  More  over  the  auction  amount  showed  in  this  record

 

                                                                                                                          (Cont....4)

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cannot be acceptable because within a year opposite party surrendered the vehicle to the complainant in a good condition, and the sale amount showed in the above record cannot be believable, more over opposite party has not produced any statement of account to strengthen their counter allegation to convince that the complainant is owed to pay such a huge amount as loan dues as per Ext.P3 and Ext.P4 notices.  No clear and cogent evidence is produced by the opposite party to show that how they arrived such an amount.

 

On the basis of  above discussion the Forum is of a considered view that, opposite party has not completed the basic legal formalities before conducting the sale of the vehicle and also no authoritative evidence is produced to substantiate that they sold the vehicle to such as merge price.  Hence here of the contention raised by the opposite party cannot be acceptable and believable.  Under the above circumstances forum finds that, the allegation against the opposite party raised by the complainant is bonafide and the complaint is allowed.  Opposite party is directed to close the loan account of the complainant and return the cheque leaves mentioned in the proof affidavit of the complainant within one month from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.   No order to cost and compensation.

 

Pronounced in the Open Forum on this the 3rd  day of November, 2018.

 

                                                                                                     Sd/-

                                                                                    SRI. S. GOPAKUMAR (PRESIDENT)

                                                                                                            Sd/-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

             SRI. BENNY. K.  (MEMBER)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                     (Cont....5)

 

 

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APPENDIX

 

Depositions :

On the side of the Complainant :

PW1               -  Bindhu Binu

On the side of the Opposite Party :

Nil

Exhibits :

On the side of the Complainant :

Ext.P1            -  The copy of cash receipt

Ext.P2            -  The notice of legal service authority dated 08/03/17

Ext.P3          -  The demand notice issued by the opposite party dated 02/02/17

Ext.P4          - The loan dues demand notice

Ext.P5         - The policy certificate.

On the side of the Opposite Party :

Ext.R1  - The copy of a letter issued by the complainant to the opposite party                       

            dated 26/11/14

Ext.R2  - The copy of a demand notice dated 27/11/14

Ext.R3  - The copy of a demand notice dated 06/01/15

Ext.R4  - The copy of demand notice dated 11/05/15

Ext.R5  - The copy of the affidavit 

Ext.R6  - The copy of disposed of assets.

 

 

          Forwarded by Order,

 

 

                SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT