DATE OF DISPOSAL: 04.01.2024

Smt. Saritri Pattanaik, Member (W)

The factual matrix of the case is that the complainant has filed this consumer complaint Under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging deficiency in service against the Opposite Parties (in short the O.Ps.) and for redressal of her  grievance before this Commission.

            2. The complainant is a senior citizen and for the savings deposited the amount as per motivation of the O.Ps to get lucrative returns of such deposits in future through their agent and advertisements. Accordingly the complainant accepting the said offer deposited the amount for the period of 96 months under a Scheme: Sahara. E.shine on different dates as mentioned below in Table-1at authorized centre i.e. at O.P.No.2 and the O.Ps also declared that, this shall bear fixed interest as per rules of the society and deposits can be withdrawal within one month of matured period.

                                                TABLE-1.

Similarly, the complainant also deposited the amount of Rs.5000/- under a Scheme F2-Sahara.A. Select on 25.10.2019 vide Account No. 11397801191 which was matured on 25.04.2021 and the matured amount is Rs.5735 and wherein Smt. Bishnu Priya Padhy is nominee. As per the terms and conditions of the above two schemes, both of the O.Ps are liable to pay the maturity amount on t5he date fixed as mentioned in Annexure A series and B.  When the complainant demanded to refund the matured amount Annexure-A and B sometime in the month of January 2020 and thereafter June 2021and when visited the office, the O.P.No.2 asked the complainant to come after 30 to 35 days and when the complainant approached on lapse of said period of 35 days, the O.P.No.2 denied to give the said matured amount instantly. The complainant issued an advocate notice dated 26.08.2021 to the Regional Manager and other responsible officers of O.Ps situated at Bhanjanagar and other places of Odisha and posted on 27.08.2021 through Registered post and the said office of the O.Ps duly acknowledged the said notice but did not chose to reply to the complainant, the reasons best known to them. Alleging deficiency in service on the part of the O.Ps the complainant prayed to direct the O.Ps to refund the entire matured amount of Rs.4,70,160.00 with 18% interest,  Rs.50,000/- compensation and costs of Rs.32,000.00 in the best interests of justice.

            3. The delay in filling of the present consumer complaint is condoned in accordance to the order in SMWP(C) No.: 3 of 2020.

           4. On the date of hearing of the consumer complaint, the Ld. Counsel for the Complainant was present and the opposite parties are found absent on repeated calls. We perused the complaint evidence, written argument and materials placed on the case record. It reveals that the complainant had deposited Rs.1,80,000.00p as per Table-1 and will receive matured amount of Rs.4,70,160.00 from the O.P on the date of matured. Hence, taking the materials on the case record as well as the sole testimony of the complainant into consideration, we hold that the O.Ps are negligent in rendering proper service to the complainant as such we hold that there is deficiency in service on the part of the O.Ps. Further Law is well settled in case of Mrs. Puneet Kaur versus Hindustan Financial Management Ltd. and others reported in 2003(1) CPR 274 where in the Hon’ble National CDR Commission, New Delhi has held that “Non-payment of fixed deposit amount on its maturity by Financial Institution constitutes deficiency in service”. In another case when a company or a firm invites deposits on promise of attractive rates of interest and prompt repayment of principal and interest on the expiry of the stipulated period with full security for the investment in the shape of the assets of the company or firm, it is in essence of an offer by the company providing to interested persons a safe avenue for investment of their fund with an assurance of prompt repayment and full security of investment. The consideration for the arrangement consists of the fact that the company or firm is enabled to use the funds deposited with it for the purposes of its business. Such a transaction is clearly one of providing service for consideration and depositor is clearly a consumer under the Act. The Opposite Party was directed to repay the guaranteed value of the deposits with interests @ 12% per annum till payment and to pay the cost- Shanker Lal Rathi Versus Neha Leasing & Holdings ltd. 1996 (2) CPR 90. 

         5. Moreover in another case the Hon’ble National Consumer Commission held in Adelkar Prathibha B. (Mrs.) & Ors V. Shivaji Estate Livestock and Farms Pvt. Ltd. & Ors reported in II (2015) CPJ 221 (NC) that “Complainant hired or availed services of O.P. for investing their savings in schemes floated by O.P. and deposited money with it for investing on their behalf in Goat Farming and allied activities- Complainant are consumers, Remedy before Consumer Forum is primarily a civil remedy- Complaint maintainable. Failure on parts of financial establishment to honour its commitment- Deficiency in service – Unfair trade practice- OP is directed to refund the investment made by complainant in scheme floated by it”.

            On foregoing discussion and in view of the clear position of law the complainant’s case is partly allowed against the O.Ps. The Opposite Parties who are jointly and severally liable are directed to pay the maturity value of Rs.4,70,160.00/-only along with 9% interest per annum to the complainant within 45 days from receipt of this order. Further the O.P. is also directed to pay Rs.20,000/- as costs of litigation to the complainant within the above stipulated period failing which all the dues shall carry 12% interest per annum till its actual date of realization from the date of filing of this case i.e. on 25.01.2022 and the complainant is at liberty to take appropriate steps in accordance to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for realization of all dues.

                 This case is disposed of accordingly.

                The Judgment be uploaded on the www.confonet.nic.in for the perusal of the parties.

             A certified copy of this Judgment be provided to all the parties free of cost as mandated by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

            The file is to be consigned to the record room along with a copy of this Judgment.

Pronounced on 04.01.2024