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

Friday the 29^th day of December 2023

CC.320/2023

Complainant

Riyas,

Chettiam Veetil,

Chelakkad. P. O,

                         Kallachi,

                         Kozhikode.

Opposite Party

Go Airline India Ltd,

                         4^th Floor, Kaledonia Building,

Sambhji Nagar, Sahar Road,

Antheri East,

Mumbai, Maharashtra.

ORDER   

By Sri. P.C. PAULACHEN  – PRESIDENT.

            This is a complaint filed under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

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

On 27-04-2022 the complainant booked 4 flight tickets of Go First Airlines India Limited for the journey of himself and his family members from Mumbai to Kannur on 07/06/2022. But on 02/06/2022 an e-mail was received from the opposite party informing that the booking was cancelled. On 05/06/2022 another e-mail was received informing that the ticket fare of Rs. 21,265/- would be refunded. But so far the refund is not made. Due to the cancellation of the booking, the complainant and his family were put to difficulties and inconvenience. Hence the complaint claiming refund of the amount and also compensation.

3. The notice issued from this Commission was duly served on the opposite party. But the opposite party did not respond to the notice and hence set ex-parte. 
4. The points that arise for determination in this complaint are;                                                                                                                              1) Whether there was any deficiency of service or unfair trade practice on the part of the opposite parties, as alleged?                        2) Reliefs and costs.
5. The complainant was examined as PW1 and Exts. A1 to A3 were marked.
6. Heard.
7. Point No.1: The complainant has approached this Commission alleging unfair trade practice and deficiency of service on the part of the opposite party. The allegation is that the flight ticket fare was not refunded by the opposite party on cancellation of the booking. The prayer is for refund of the fare along with compensation. 
8. PW1 has filed proof affidavit in terms of the averments in the complaint and in support of the claim. Ext A1 is the copy of Flight tickets and Ext A2 and A3 are the copies of the e-mail.
9. The evidence of PW1 stands unchallenged. The opposite party has not turned up to file version. The opposite party has 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 complainant. There is no contra evidence to disprove the claim. The case of the complainant stands proved through the testimony of PW1 and Exts A1 to A3.
10.  Non-refunding the fare despite cancellation of the booking by the opposite party amounts to gross deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on the part of the opposite party. The opposite party is liable to refund the fare to the complainant. The act of the opposite party has resulted in gross mental agony and inconvenience to the complainant, for which, he is entitled to be compensated adequately. Considering the entire facts circumstances, we are of the view that a sum of Rs. 10,000/- will be reasonable compensation.
11. Point No. 2 : In the light of the finding on the above point, the complaint is disposed of as follows:                                                          a) CC 320/2023 is allowed.                                                                                                                                                                        b)The opposite party is hereby directed to refund Rs. 21,265/- (Rupees twenty one thousand two hundred sixty five only) to the            complainant with interest @ 6% per annum from the date of the complaint ie, 26/07/2023 till actual payment.                                c) The opposite party is directed to pay a sum of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) as compensation to the complainant               for the mental agony and hardship suffered.                                                                                                                                        d) The order shall be complied with within 30 days of the receipt of the copy of this order.                                                                   e) No order as to costs.

Pronounced in open Commission on this, the 29^st day of December, 2023.

Date of Filing: 26/07/2023

                                         Sd/-                                                       Sd/-                                                            Sd/-

                                PRESIDENT                                           MEMBER                                                 MEMBER

APPENDIX

Exhibits for the Complainant :

Ext A1 – Copy of Flight tickets

Ext A2 - Copy of the e-mail.

Ext A3 - Copy of the e-mail.

Exhibits for the Opposite Party

Nil.

Witnesses for the Complainant

PW1 -   Riyas, (Complainant)

                                                   Sd/-                                                      Sd/-                                            Sd/-

                                           PRESIDENT                                           MEMBER                                       MEMBER

True Copy,      

                                                            Sd/-

                                                            Assistant Registrar.