IN THE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, ALAPPUZHA
Tuesday the 31st day of May, 2011
Filed on 08.10.2010
Present
- Sri. Jimmy Korah (President)
- Sri. K. Anirudhan (Member)
- Smt. Shajitha Beevi (Member)
in
C.C.No.255/2010
between
Complainant:- Opposite Parties:-
Sri. K.G.Balakrishna Panicker 1. The General Secretary
Thottappalliyil Veedu Nayar Service Society
P.O. Thathampally – 688 013 NSS Head Quarters, Perunna
Karalakam Ward, Ambalappuzha Changanasserry, Kottayam
Taluk, Alappuzha Dt. (By Adv. B. Sivadas)
2. NSS Karayogam, NSS Branch No.
1365, Neerkkunnam, Ambalappuzha Taluk, Alappuzha – 5, Represented by its Secretary
3. President, NSS Karayogam Branch No.1365, Neerkkunnam, Ambalappuzha Taluk
Alappuzha Dt.
4. Secretary, NSS Karayogam No.1365, Neerkkunnam
Ambalappuzha Taluk
Alappuzha Dt.
(By Adv. K.V.Subhakumar –
Opposite parties 2 to 4)
O R D E R
SMT. N. SHAJITHA BEEVI (MEMBER)
Complainant has filed this complaint before the Forum on 08.10.2010 alleging deficiency in service on the part of the opposite parties. The brief facts of the allegations of the complainant are as follows:- The first opposite party is the General Secretary of the NSS Head Quarters, Perunna. The 2nd opposite party is represented by the Secretary of the first opposite party – NSS Karayogam No.1365, Neerkkunnam, 3rd and 4th opposite parties are the President and Secretary of the above Karayogam. The opposite parties have assured the depositors that they will invest the funds in different ventures and make profits thereof will be distributed among the investors reasonable ratifications payable on monthly basis. The entire operation of the Karayogam is being carried out by the opposite parties. Complainant deposited a total sum of Rs.98,000/- before the NSS Karayogam on 1.5.2006 The opposite parties had issued pass book showing the deposit of the same. The opposite parties failed to pay the interest or deposited amount till date, even though he had requested to return the amount, he filed this complaint seeking relief.
2. Notices issued to the opposite parties, they had appeared before this Forum. And they were filed version. In the version of the opposite parties, they had contended that the 1st opposite party is a voluntary associates and there are numerous members in the association. The opposite parties 2 to 4 are the office bearers of the 1st opposite party and they have no personal interest in the subject matter of the petition. The claim of the complainant is hopelessly barred by limitation.
3. Considering the contentions of the parties, this Forum has raised the following issues:-
1) Whether there is any deficiency in service and negligence on the part of the
opposite parties in repayment of deposit to the complainant?
2) Whether the complainant is entitled to get compensation and costs from the
opposite parties?
5. Issues 1 and 2:- Complainant has filed proof affidavit in the support of his case and he was examined as PW1 and produced documents in evidence – Ext.A1 is marked. Ext. A1 is the original pass book issued by the opposite parties to the complainant at the time of depositing the amount. It shows the deposited amount, interest paid and the outstanding amount. The book shows that an amount of Rs.98,000/- is the outstanding to be released. The opposite parties have no oral evidence.
6. On a careful study of the entire matter of this case, it can be seen that as per the assurance given by the opposite parties, the complainant had deposited the amount in the Karayogam administered by the opposite parties. The opposite parties had paid interest till 14.8.2006 to the complainant for the said deposited amount. Since the opposite parties had defaulted payment of interest, the complainant requested the opposite parties to return the amount with interest. But the opposite parties have not shown any effort to return the same. This will amounts to cheating. The entire actions on the part of the opposite parties shows the deficiency in service and negligence in repayment of deposited amount with interest to the complainant in time. There is no justification on the part of the opposite parties in retaining the amount which is payable to the complainant. The complainant is entitled to get back the deposited amounts with interest fully. Since there is deficiency in service and negligence on the part of the opposite parties 2 to 4 by way denial of repayment to the depositors, the complainant is entitled to get compensation and costs from the opposite parties and that the opposite parties 2 to 4 are jointly and severely liable for that. Considering, the whole aspects of this case, we are fully convinced that the allegations put forward by the complainant against the opposite parties are highly genuine. So the complaint is to be allowed. All the issues are found in favour of the complainant.
In the result, for the ends of justice, we hereby direct the opposite parties 2 to 4 to return the deposited amount of Rs.98,000/- (Rupees ninety eight thosuand only) with 14% interest per annum from 14.08.2006 till the date of payment to the complainant and pay a compensation of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) to the complainant for his mental agony, pain, sufferings, inconvenience and loss due to the grossest deficiency in service and culpable negligence on the part of the opposite parties by way of refusal to return back the deposited amounts and its interest in time to the complainant, and further pay a sum of Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees one thousand only) as costs of this proceedings. We further direct the opposite parties 2 to 4 to pay the above said amounts to the complainant within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order.
Pronounced in open Forum on this the 31st day of May, 2011.
Sd/- Smt. N. Shajitha Beevi
Sd/- Sri. Jimmy Korah:
Sd/- Sri.K. Anidudhan:
Appendix:-
Evidence of the complainant:-
Ext. A1 - Original Pass Book
Evidence of the opposite parties:- Nil
// True Copy //
By Order
Senior Superintendent
To
Complainant/Opposite parties/S.F.
Typed by:- pr/-
Compared by:-
