District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I, U.T., Chandigarh

CONSUMER COMPLAINT NO. 767  OF  2019

BEFORE:

          RATTAN SINGH THAKUR, PRESIDENT

          SURJEET KAUR, MEMBER

          SURESH KUMAR SARDANA, MEMBER

PRESENT:

None for Complainant.

Dated : 7^th August 2019

ORDER

1.        Allegations made in the consumer complaint perused. Complainant deposited the admission form on 10.08.2017 with Opposite Party University and fee was deposited through online but the University has not given admission in the year 2017 to the complainant. The study material/books were not supplied. Per allegations, the University has not refunded the full amount. The regional office of Opposite Party No.1 is situated at Sector 14, Panchkula (Haryana), while Opposite Party No.2 Director, Indira Gandhi National Open University is situated at New Delhi-110068. Suffice it to say that both the Opposite Parties against whom relief has been asked for resides & carries on business at Panchkula(Haryana) and New Delhi. The complainant is also resident of Panchkula. The cause of action has also arisen at Panchkula where study material was intended to be supplied.

2.        Section 11 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 perused. The complaint could be instituted where the Opposite Party resides and carries on business as a branch office and cause of action wholly or in part arises.

3.        No activity has taken place at Chandigarh within the territorial jurisdiction of this Forum. In connected consumer complaint bearing CC No.768 of 2019 titled ‘Vijay Kumar vs. Director, Regional Office (IGNOU) & anr.’ disposed off today i.e. 07.08.2019 by this Forum, one photocopy annexed which shows regional centre was established in 2009 which covers Punjab (Patiala, Mohali, Ropar & Fatehgarh Sahib) and Haryana (Panchkula & Ambala). This shows that this is a Chandigarh Zone and headquarter of regional centre is at Panchkula and it has also been mentioned address i.e. Sector 14, Panchkula, Regional Centre Chandigarh. Panchkula does not fall within the territorial jurisdiction of this Forum and at Panchkula there is independent District Forum for the redressal of consumer disputes established under the authority of law. Hence, merely that Chandigarh centre covers many states but its headquarter at Panchkula and other places other than Chandigarh will not confer jurisdiction on this Forum. Hence, let this consumer complaint be returned to the complainant with the remarks that it be presented before the District Forum, Panchkula.

4.        Certified copy of this order be sent to the complainant free of cost. The record signed by this Forum after its due completion be consigned to record room.