13.09.2023 Present:- Sh.Ram Manohar, counsel for complainant.
The complainant has stated in his complaint that his marriage was solemnized with Shabnoor D/o Sh.Gulbhar Hassan, R/o Patiala on 29.5.2022. He filed an application for the registration of his marriage under Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act at Sewa Kender, Community Centre, Model Town, Phase-III, Bathinda on 28.6.2023 and deposited the requisite fee of Rs.4950/- and date of completion was given as 11.7.2023 vide application UID No.50474681. He completed all the formalities for the registration of the marriage, but opposite party raised the objection against the registration of the marriage to the effect that 'Wedding cards not attached with the file'. Thereafter he got moved an application from Sh.Ram Manohar Advocate under Right to Information Act for providing information regarding the instructions for the registration of the marriage and formalities required for the registration of the marriage etc. He was supplied information/memo No.18/6/2018-6 Jud(1)/2832/Chandigarh dated 24.8.2018 and as per clause (B) of the memo, the formalities required to be submitted for the registration of marriages is only following attachments are required with marriage registration application under Punjab Compulsory Marriage Registration Act:-
"Bride and Briedegroom's joint photo”
Or
"Bride and Briedegroom's group photo with family”
Or
Wedding Card"
As per the aforesaid instructions, only one document out of any three is required to be attached and complainant had attached two documents i.e. joint photo of bride and bridegroom and group photo of bride and bridegroom with the family. As such, wedding card is not required to be attached, but opposite party raised false objection and returned the file in an illegal manner. The complainant approached opposite party and requested that he has already furnished two formalities out of any three as required under the Act, but opposite party refused to accept the file and to forward the same for registration of the marriage, rather it remained adamant for the attachment of wedding card that was otherwise not required and having no other alternative and under compelled circumstances, the complainant was forced to visit the parental house of his wife at Patiala and bring the wedding card for which he was forced to spend approx. Rs.3500/- besides suffering unnecessary harassment and delay in the registration of the marriage. After attaching the wedding card, the file was submitted and same was approved by opposite party on 14.7.2023 and thereafter the marriage was registered with the Chief Registrar of Marriages, Bathinda. Due to this act on part of the opposite party, the complainant has suffered from great mental tension, agony, botheration, harassment and financial loss.
We have heard learned counsel for complainant and gone through the file.
As per U/s 35(1) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019:-
“ Manner in which complaint shall be made:-
1) A complaint, in relation to any goods sold or delivered or agreed to be sold or delivered or any service provided or agreed to be provided, may be filed with a District Commission by.”
As per averments of the complaint, the complainant had deposited the requisite fee of Rs.4950/- and date of completion was given as 11.7.2023 and he was given the certificate on 14.7.2023, thus, the complainant's grievance is only regarding the procedure followed for registration of the marriage and giving the registration certificate of the marriage. This Commission is of the view that this grievance of the complainant does not fall within purview of 'Consumer Complaint' as defined U/s 35(1) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as he has been provided the service for which he paid the consideration. Therefore, this complaint is dismissed in limini.
Copy of this order be sent to the complainant and file be consigned to record room.
Announced:-
13.9.2023
(Shivdev Singh) (R.L Mittal)
Member President
