DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, KOZHIKODE

PRESENT : Sri. P.C. PAULACHEN, M.Com, LLB        : PRESIDENT

Sri.V. BALAKRISHNAN, M Tech, MBA, LL.B, FIE: MEMBER

Tuesday the 28^th day of February 2023

C.C.251/2022

Complainant

Karthik M,

Puthiyedath Kandy, Kuruvattur (PO),

Kozhikode-673 611.

Opposite Party

Ola Electric Technologies Pvt Ltd,

2, Hosur Rd, Koramangala,

Bengaluru – 560 095.

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:

 The complainant booked an OLA Electric S1 Pro vehicle by paying Rs.499/- for the booking and Rs.20,000/- as advance payment. The booking was on 15-09-2021. The vehicle was assured to be delivered in December 2021. But the vehicle was not delivered in time as promised. So on 01-03-2022 the complainant initiated cancellation and received refund of Rs.499/- for the booking amount. But the advance payment is not yet refunded in spite of repeated requests. Hence the complaint for refund of the advance along with compensation and cost of the proceedings.

3. The opposite party was set ex-parte.  

4. The points that arise for determination in this complaint are :

1. Whether there was any unfair trade practice or deficiency of service on the part of the opposite party, as alleged?
2. Reliefs and costs.

5. The complainant was examined as PW1 and Exts A1 to A5 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 specific allegation is that the opposite party failed to deliver the vehicle in time and neglected to refund the advance payment on cancellation of the booking.
8.   PW1 has filed proof affidavit in terms of the averments in the complaint and in support of the claim. It is averred in the proof affidavit that though the vehicle was assured to be delivered in December 2021, no delivery was made as assured and hence he initiated the cancellation. Though he received refund of Rs.499/- for the booking amount, the advance payment of Rs.20,000/- was not refunded. Ext. A1 is the copy of the advance booking receipt, Ext A2 is the copy of cancellation confirmation, Ext A3 is the email transcript of redressal attempt with OLA, Ext A4 is the INGRAM-Track grievance details and Ext A5 is the copy of the bank statement.
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 by the complainant. The case of the complainant stands proved through the testimony of PW1 and Exts A1 to A5. Unfair trade practice and deficiency of service on the part of the opposite party are established and proved. The complainant is entitled to get refund of the advance payment. The act of the opposite party has resulted in mental agony and hardship to the complainant, for which, he is entitled to be compensated adequately. Considering the entire facts and circumstances, we are of the view that an amount of Rs. 5,000/- will be reasonable compensation in this case.
10. Point No.2 :  In the light of the finding on the above point, the complaint is disposed of as follows:

a) CC 251/2022 is allowed in part.

2. The opposite party is hereby directed to refund the advance payment of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) to the complainant.
3. The opposite party is directed to pay a sum of Rs.5000/-(Rupees Five Thousand only) as compensation to the complainant for the mental agony and hardship suffered.
4. The order shall be complied with within in 30 days of the receipt of the copy of this order, failing which, the amount of Rs.20,000/- shall carry an interest of 6% per annum from the date of this order till actual payment.
5. No order as to costs. 

  Pronounced in open Commission on this the 28^th day of February 2023.

Date of Filing: 23/09/2022

                                                                                                                                                  Sd/-

                                                                                                                                                    PRESIDENT

                                                                                                                                            Sd/-

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APPENDIX

Exhibits for the Complainant :

Ext. A1 –Copy of the advance booking receipt.

Ext. A2 –Copy of the cancellation confirmation.

Ext. A3 –Email transcript of redressal attempt with OLA.

Ext. A4 –INGRAM-Track grievance details.

Ext. A5 –Copy of the bank statement.

Exhibits for the Opposite Party

Nil

Witnesses for the Complainant

PW1 Karthik M (Complainant)

Witnesses for the opposite parties

Nil

                                                                                                                                                                                            Sd/-

                                                                                                                                                                                   PRESIDENT

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                  Forwarded/ By Order

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Sd/-

                Assistant Registrar