DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM-II

Udyog Sadan, C-22 & 23, Qutub Institutional Area

(Behind Qutub Hotel), New Delhi- 110016

Case No.585/2013

M/s Rai Foundation,

A-41, MCIE,

Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110044                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ….Complainant

Versus

M/s Axis Bank,

E-146, Opp. PVR Anupam,

Saket, New Delhi - 110017

                                                                                                         ….Opposite Party

       Date of Institution    :        05.12.2013

       Date of Order            :        19.01.2022

Coram:

Ms. Monika A Srivastava, President

Ms. Kiran Kaushal, Member

Sh. U.K. Tyagi, Member

ORDER

President: Ms. Monika A Srivastava

The present complaint has been instituted by a Philanthropic Trust and is signed and filed by Shri Suresh Sachdev, trustee of the Trust.

OP has taken a preliminary objection that complainant on its own admission is a trust therefore does not come within the definition of “complainant” as well as “person” as defined in section 2(1)(b) and (m) of Consumer Protection Act 1986. It is thus prayed that the complaint be dismissed.

Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Pratibha Pratishtan vs Manager, Canara Bank AIR 2017 SC 1303 has considered the issue whether a complaint can be filed by a Trust under the provision of Consumer Protection Act 1986. It was held

“A reading of the definition of the words 'complaint', 'complainant' and 'consumer' makes it clear that a Trust cannot invoke the provisions of the Act in respect of any allegation on the basis of which a complaint could be made”.

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“On a plain and simple reading of all the above provisions of the Act it is clear that a Trust is not a person and therefore not a consumer. Consequently, it cannot be a complainant and cannot file a consumer dispute under the provisions of the Act”

In view of the above, this Commission is of the view that the present complaint is not maintainable and is liable to be dismissed.

File be consigned to the record room after giving copy of the order to the parties. Order be uploaded on the website.