Sri Girish.K.K, Aged About 32 Years, S/o Krishanamurthy K.A filed a consumer case on 13 Jul 2010 against M/s Country Club (India) Ltd, Represented By Its Administrative Officer in the Bangalore 4th Additional Consumer Court. The case no is CC/10/617 and the judgment uploaded on 30 Nov -0001.
Karnataka
Bangalore 4th Additional
CC/10/617
Sri Girish.K.K, Aged About 32 Years, S/o Krishanamurthy K.A - Complainant(s)
Versus
M/s Country Club (India) Ltd, Represented By Its Administrative Officer - Opp.Party(s)
Mahadevaswamy.K.M
13 Jul 2010
ORDER
BEFORE THE IV ADDITIONAL DISTRICT CONSUMERS DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, BANGALORE URBAN,Ph:22352624 No:8, 7th floor, Sahakara bhavan, Cunningham road, Bangalore- 560052. consumer case(CC) No. CC/10/617
Sri Girish.K.K, Aged About 32 Years, S/o Krishanamurthy K.A
...........Appellant(s)
Vs.
M/s Country Club (India) Ltd, Represented By Its Administrative Officer
...........Respondent(s)
BEFORE:
1. Anita Shivakumar. K 2. Ganganarsaiah 3. Sri D.Krishnappa
Complainant(s)/Appellant(s):
OppositeParty/Respondent(s):
OppositeParty/Respondent(s):
OppositeParty/Respondent(s):
ORDER
O R D E R Smt.Anita Shivakumar.K., Member Brief facts of the complaint filed by the complainant against the Op are that he agreed to become a Mr.cool Vedic spa member of the Op club as per Ops invitation and offer made through letter dated 5/12/2007 along with brochure. That he accordingly became a Mr. Cool Vedic Spa member bearing no: COOLVS 3220 by paying membership fee of Rs.1,25,000/- in two installments i.e on 30/11/2007 , 6/12/2007. Op had issued receipts for the amounts he received. With that the Op had offered to allot a site at Coconut Groove Vedic country Spa measuring 1089 sq. fts, and also many other holiday packages and stay, trips. Complainant is not interested in Ops offer and complainant find any fairness in the transaction of Op which was not expected from Op. So complainant requested to refund the amount in letter dated 17/8/2009. Complainant is not interested in Ops offer. Inspite of complainants request Op neither refunded his amount nor replied to the letter. Complainant submitted that Op with a dishonest intention is cheating the public by misrepresentation. Complainant approached the forum to seek direction to Op to refund of Rs.1,25,000/- with interest of 18% p.a and Rs.50,000/- compensation and cost. 2. Op has appeared through their advocate and filed version. Op in his version has contended that the complaint is not maintainable and denied deficiency in their service. Ops have admitted that the complainant has become a member of that club called Mr.cool Vedic spa member bearing no. COOLVS 3220 by paying membership fee of Rs.1,25,000/- which is non-refundable membership fee. It is further admitted that along with membership fee they have offered free site as complimentary to the membership taken and was gift to the members. That the complainant did not get the site registered though complimentary site has been allotted to the complainant bearing no:125 at phase D vedic spa project II cool in issued allotment letter dated 1/2/2008 stating that within 30 days from receipt of the letter the same registration can be done by the payment of Rs.15,000/-. But complainant not shown interest to register it and thereby have prayed for dismissal of the complaint. 3. In the course of enquiry into the complaint the complainant and op has filed their affidavit evidence reproducing what they have stated in their respective complaint and version. The complainant along with the complaint has produced the offer letter of the Op, copy of the receipt for having paid towards membership fee, copy of the request made before Op regarding refund of his amount. Counsels of both parties argued and perused the records. 4. On the above materials, following points for determination arise. 1. Whether the complainant proves that the Op has caused deficiency in their service in not allotting sites, in not providing other facilities and in not refunding the amount promised? 2. To what relief the complainant is entitled to? 5. Our findings are as under: Point No.1: In the affirmative Point No.2: See the Final order REASONS 6. Answer on Point No.1: As we have gone through the contention of both parties, there is no dispute between them, in this complainant having had become a Mr.cool vedic spa member bearing no. COOLVS 3220 by paying Rs.1,25,000/- as membership fee and that the Ops have offered a site. The offer letter contains all facilities which are offered by the Op and along with that Op told him to pay Rs.15,000/- for confirmation . As these facts are not disputed, the only dispute between the Parties remains for decision is regarding non-registration of site as promised. 7. It is the grievance of the complainant that despite he approaching the Op several times Op did not allot sites as promised. In the offer letter Op dated 5/12/2007, he had offered to allot a site of 1089 sq.ft at coconut groove Vedic Spa site. Complainant has asked in his prayer for refund of his membership fee on the ground that he cannot trust the Op and do not wish to continue his relationship with them. But the Op as stated above have not controverted the arguments of the counsel for the complainant and dissatisfaction he has expressed. But Op is still ready to register the site. On considering all these facts placed before us, we find that there is nothing wrong in this complainant asking for the relief of refund of membership fee because of non response or due to lack of sincerity on the Op. We also find there is no genuinity in the offer of allotments also. 8. If we carefully look at this offer, the offers in our view appears to be an uncertain and non-existing because it is not clear where exactly that coconut grove Vedic spa exists. In this way it is found that the Op has offered such type of free plot to attract the people to become their members by paying heavy amounts. Similarly the offers made in this case also exhibit uncertainty. It is found that the complainant became a member on 6/12/2007 by paying full amount. He has repeatedly stated the despite approaching the Op they did not allot plots. 9. Op has neither registered the site as assured nor refunded his amount though complainant requested by submitting written requests. Even Op did not take any trouble to communicate to complainant. If the contention of the Op that they offered to allot the site is located at Penugonda in Andra Pradesh, where exactly it is formed is not disclosed if they had intension to allot site and have at their disposal they could have first allotted complimentary plot to the complainant showing the plot number, location etc., and then tell the complainant to get documents registered by meeting registration expenditure. But it is evident that the Op has not even come forward to prove that they have formed any layout or sites at all leave alone execution of documents. Through the developments that have taken place in this case, we are of the view, the claim of the opponents do not inspire confidence in us and also in the complainant. Therefore under those circumstances complainant opted for taking back his membership fee which cannot be denied. 10. The Ops have contended that membership fee is not refundable. But it is not their case that the complainant after becoming a member has used any sort of their service like club service and other facilities offered through their offering letter. Therefore when the complainant has absolutely not availed any service of the Op and Op has not exhibited their interest in keeping their promises and sincerity in showing some progress in the formation of layout and allotment of plots they cannot claim the rights for non-refundability and to retain complainants money. Hence, complaint in our view is entitled for the relief as prayed for but not for the other compensation he has sought for. Therefore, from the date of payment. The complainant would become entitle for interest on the money to be refunded. With the result, we answer point No.1 in the affirmative and pass the following order. OR D E R Complaint is allowed. Op is directed to refund Rs.1, 25, 000/- to the complainant with interest @ 18% per annum from the date of respective deposit to till it is repaid. Op shall refund that amount within 45 days from the date of this order. Ops shall also pay cost of Rs.2, 000/- to the complainant.
......................Anita Shivakumar. K ......................Ganganarsaiah ......................Sri D.Krishnappa
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