Kerala

StateCommission

CC/14/81

JOHN JACOB - Complainant(s)

Versus

M/S MATHER PROJECTS - Opp.Party(s)

T. J LAKSHMAN

15 Jul 2016

ORDER

KERALA STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION SISUVIHARLANE VAZHUTHACADU THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

 

CC.NO.81/14

JUDGMENT DATED : 15.07.2016

PRESENT

 

JUSTICE SRI.P.Q.BARKATH ALI      : PRESIDENT

SRI.V.V.JOSE                                  : MEMBER

 

COMPLAINANT

 

John Jacob,

S/o.Late C.L.Jacob,

Vakola, St.Antony’s Street,

Santa Cruz East,

Mumbai – 400055, Now at Gobal

Professional Services, P.O. Box 24937 WLL,

C Ring Road, Al-Handassa Street,

Near Crazy Signal, Opp.Old Public Works Authority Building,

Doha, Qatar

 

(By Adv.Sri.SanthaRam.P & others)

 

Vs

OPPOSITE PARTIES

 

1.M/s.Mather Projects,

40/9143, Kodiyatt Chambers,

Rajaji Road, Kochi – 682 035

Rep.by its Managing Director

 

2.K.I.Muhammed Raffi Mather,

M/s.Mather Projects,

40/9143, Kodiyatt Chambers,

Rajaji Road, Kochi – 682 035

 

3. Siraj Mather,

M/s.Mather Projects,

40/9143, Kodiyatt Chambers,

Rajaji Road, Kochi – 682 035

 

4. N.Ashokan,

Executive Director,

M/s.Mather Projects,

40/9143, Kodiyatt Chambers,

Rajaji Road, Kochi – 682 035

 

(By Adv.Sri.George Abraham for OP1 & OP4)

(By Adv.Sri.M.Unnikrishnan for OP2 & OP3)

 

JUDGMENT

SRI.V.V.JOSE          : MEMBER

                This complaint is filed Under Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. The case of the complainant is as follows. Complainant is an NRI working in Qatar as Administration / Finance Manager. The first opposite party is a firm engaged in construction of flats and villas. The second opposite party is the erstwhile Managing Partner and the third opposite party is the erstwhile partner of the first opposite party. The fourth opposite party is the present executive Director of the first opposite party. Complainant has booked a residential apartment (4H) in the project of the first opposite party named “Esperanza” at Kakkanad, Kochi. Complainant executed a construction agreement dated 23.10.2007 and an agreement of purchase of undivided share of land on the same date with first opposite party. The second opposite party has duly represented the firm ie, first opposite party in the above both agreements. It was agreed to hand over the apartment and execute the sale deed within thirty months from the date of agreement. But it was not completed. The opposite parties assured the completion at the earliest when represented, till now it is not completed.

        2.     The complainant is entitled to receive Rs.2/- per sq.feet per month for the area of the apartment if the opposite party fails to complete construction within the agreed time. This is as per clause II of the agreement. The opposite party after receiving the sale consideration of Rs.20,50,031/- at the time of execution of agreement, is doing an act of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. Even though the opposite parties intimated the complainant in the year 2012 that they intend to start the registration process, nothing is assured regarding the improvement and completion of the project. The complainant issued a lawyer notice dated 13.06.2014 to the opposite parties for the completion of the construction and the delivery of the same and to execute the undivided sale deed within one month and for a compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- for delay in construction. The complainant further sought for a refund of Rs. 20,50,031/- with 18% interest and also a compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- in the event, the opposite party fails to complete the construction and to hand over the apartment.

        3.     Second and third opposite parties issued a reply notice stating that they are no more part of first opposite party. The first and fourth opposite parties never cared to send a reply. The complainant understands that the opposite parties are not in a position to complete the construction of the apartment and to deliver the same. The change of management of the first opposite party is only a fabricated story from the part of the opposite parties to wriggle out of the liability that may be fastened upon them by court of Law. Hence this complaint for a direction to the opposite parties for a refund of an amount of Rs. 20,50,031/- with 18% interest from March 2010 till realization. He further prayed for Rs.5,00,000/- for the deficiency in service and unfair trade practice and another Rs.5,00,000/- for mental agony and hardships suffered by the complaint. He further sought for Rs.68,640/- towards compensation as stipulated in clause II of the construction agreement.

        4.     After admission notice was served on all opposite parties. They entered appearance and filed version. Opposite parties one and four and two and three filed their version separately.

        5.     Complainant filed its proof affidavit in lieu of chief examination and marked 19 documents. As complainant has no oral evidence. Opposite parties two and three filed proof affidavit in lieu of chief examination and produced eight documents. Opposite parties one and four also filed proof affidavit.

        6.     Heard counsels of both parties. Counsel of the complainant submitted that he is satisfied with an order against opposite parties one and four only. Further both counsels agreed for of refund of the amount paid with reasonable interest and compensation.

        7.     We, therefore allowing the complaint in part and direct opposite parties one and four to refund of Rs. 20,50,031/- along with interest of 12% from 01.03.2010 till realization. The complainant is entitled to have a compensation of Rs.1,00,000/- and a cost of Rs.10,000/- . The period of compliance will be six months from the date of receipt of this order.

        In the result, complaint is allowed in part directing the first and fourth opposite parties to refund of Rs. 20,50,031/- along with 12% interest from 01.03.2010. The complainant is also entitled for a compensation of Rs.1,00,000/- and a cost of Rs.10,000/- .The date of compliance is six months from the date of receipt of this order.

 

V.V.JOSE : MEMBER

JUSTICE P.Q.BARKATH ALI     : PRESIDENT

APPENDIX

List of documents produced by the complainant

Ext.A1 - Sale agreement dated 23.10.2007 executed between the first

             opp.party and the complainant

 

Ext.A2   -Construction agreement dated 23.10.2007 executed

              between the complainant and the first opp.party

Ext.A3      - Communication dated 11.07.2010 from first opp.party

Ext.A4      - Letter dated 02.06.2014 sent by the opp.party no.4 to the

                  complainant

Ext.A5      - Advocate notice dated 13.06.2014 set at  the instance of

                   the complainant to the opp.parties.

EWxt.A6   - Copy of reply notice dated 20.06.2014 issued by the

                  opp.party nos.2 & 3 to the advocate notice issued by the

                  complainant’s counsel.

Ext.A7      - Postal A/D card evidencing receipt of the advocate notice

                 sent to the opp.party no.1

Ext.A8      - Receipt bearing No.076 dated 17.05.2007 for

                  Rs.50,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant

Ext.A9      -Receipt bearing No.163 dated 04.07..2007 for

                  Rs.2,85,016/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant

Ext.A10    -Receipt bearing No.194dated 30.07.2007 for

                  Rs.2,85,015/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant.

Ext.A11    -Receipt bearing No.330 dated 29.12.2007 for

                  Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant.

Ext.A12    -Receipt bearing No.378 dated 22.02.2008 for

                  Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant.

Ext.A13    - Receipt bearing No.448 dated 10.05.2008 for

                  Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant.

Ext.A14    - Receipt bearing No.505 dated 04.08.2008 for

                   Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                  complainant.

 

 

Ext.A15    - Receipt bearing No.605 dated 27.12.2008 for

                   Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                   complainant.

 

Ext.A16    - Receipt bearing No.675 dated 22.08.2008 for

                   Rs.2,60,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                   complainant.

 

Ext.A17    - Receipt bearing No.766 dated 26.02.2010 for

                   Rs.2,60,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                   complainant.

 

Ext.A18    - Receipt bearing No.896 dated 26.07.2010 for

                   Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                   complainant.

 

Ext.A19    - Receipt bearing No.1301 dated 04.05.2012 for

                   Rs.1,30,000/- issued by the first opp.party to the

                   complainant.

 

List of documents produced by the opposite parties

Ext.B1     - Power of attorney dated 19.09.2015

Ext.B2     - Memorandum of Understanding dated 30.09.2006

Ext.B3     - Minutes of the meeting of space

Ext.B4     - Certificate of incorporation and memorandum of

                  Association of space reality projects private limited

Ext.B5     - Letter issued from space to Registrar of Companies

Ext.B6     - Minutes of the meeting of space reality projects pvt ltd.

Ext.B7     - Annual return of Mather Projects Pvt Ltd for the year

                    2012

Ext.B8     - Annual return of Mather projects Pvt Ltd for the year

                  2013

 

V.V.JOSE : MEMBER

 

JUSTICE P.Q.BARKATH ALI     : PRESIDENT

Be/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KERALA STATE

CONSUMER DISPUTES

REDRESSAL COMMISSION

SISUVIHARLANE

 VAZHUTHACADU

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

 

CC.NO.81/14

JUDGMENT DATED : 15.07.2016

 

 

                                                                               Be/