Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam-II

CC/38/2013

Bhamidipati Ramesh Babu - Complainant(s)

Versus

The Managing Director - Opp.Party(s)

B. Hume Sastry

29 Nov 2014

ORDER

                                              Date of Registration of the Complaint:20-02-2013   

                                                                                                Date of Order:29-11-2014

BEFORE THE DISTRICT CONSUMERS FORUM-II AT

                             VISAKHAPATNAM

 

P  r  e  s  e  n  t:

1.  Sri H. Ananda Rao, M.A., L.L.B.,

     President           

2. Smt K. Saroja, M.A. B.L.,

     Lady Member 

                                3. Sri C.V. Rao,  M.A., B.L.,

                                     Male Member

 

                        Saturday, the 29^th day of November, 2014.

                             CONSUMER CASE No.38 of 2013

Between:-

Bhamidipati Ramesh Babu, Son of

B.V.V. Satyanarayana, Hindu, aged 42 years,

Advocate, residing at D.No.11-49/14,

Ayyapanagar, Kommadi Junction, Madurawada

Post, Visakhapatnam-530048.

                                                                                        ….. Complainant

And:-

1.The Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh

   Rajiv Swagruha Co-operative Ltd.,

   Corporate Office, 1-2-386, Domalaguda ,

   Hyderabad-500029.

2.The General Manager (Project),

   Andhra Pradesh Rajiv Swagruha Co-operative Ltd.,

   Yendada, Yendada Village & Post, Visakhapatnam.

                                                                                             …  Opposite Parties

                         

This case coming on 30.09.2014 for final hearing before us in the presence of Sri     B. Hume Sastry, Sri Allu Suresh Kumar, Sri Bandaru Rama Krishna, Advocates for the Complainant and Sri T.V.S.K. Kanaka Raju & M.A.S. Prabha, Advocates for the Opposite Parties and having stood over till this date for consideration, this Forum made the following:

 

                                                ORDER

        (As per Smt. K. Saroja Honourable Lady Member on behalf of the Bench)

 

1.       The case of the Complainant in brief is that the Complainant intended to purchase a House under Rajiv Swagruha Co-operative Ltd., in an extent of 387.69 Sq. feet at Bheemunipatnam Municipality and paid an amount of Rs.3,000/- towards enrollment fee on 16.04.2007 vide Demand Draft No.397046 payable at State Bank of Hyderabad, District Court’s Complex Branch, Visakhapatnam.  On 08.08.2007 some officials of the Opposite Parties came and verified the address and application of the Complainant.  The Complainant approached the Opposite Parties to expedite the matter from time to time, but there is no response from the Opposite Parties.  The Complainant vexed with the Opposite Parties attitude and requested the Opposite Parties to return the enrollment fee of Rs.3,000/-.   But in vain.   Then the Complainant filed P.L.A.C. No.973 of 2012 against the 1^st Opposite Party before the D.L.S.A. at Visakhapatnam, the Opposite Parties offered an amount of Rs.2,600/- to the Complainant towards full and final amounts, but the Complainant refused to receive the same.   Hence, this Complaint.

2.       a) To direct the Opposite Parties to pay the amount of Rs.3,000/- (Rupees three thousand only) together with interest at 24% p.a. from 16.04.2007 till the date of realization

b) To pay an amount of Rs.50,000/- towards mental anguish and agony suffered

c) To pay Rs.10,000/- towards the costs and  

d) Such other relief or reliefs as the Forum may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

 

3.        The Opposite Parties strongly resisted the claim of the Complainant by contending, as can be seen from their counter.   The Opposite Parties launched the construction project with a very noble objective.   It is purely a self financing project on no loss or no profit.   The Opposite Parties offered a cheque bearing No.391134 for an amount of Rs.2,500/- dated 08.10.2012.  But the Complainant did not receive the same.   So, they have no liability to pay any reliefs as prayed by the Complainant.  

 

4.       At the time of enquiry, both parties filed affidavits as well as written arguments to support their contentions.             Exs.A1 to A9 are marked for the Complainant.   No documents were marked for the Opposite Parties. Heard both sides.

 

5.       ExA1 is the photo copy of Application and fee for  Rs.250/- paid by the Complainant on 16.04.2007.  Ex.A2 is the Receipt issued by the Municipal Choultry, Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam on 11.04.2007.   Ex.A3 is the Receipt issued by the Municipal Choultry, Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam on 19.04.2007.   Ex.A4 is the D.D for n amount of Rs.3,000/- towards processing fee.    Ex.A5 is the Docket Order in PLAC No.973/2012.  Ex.A6 is the News item published in Andhra Jyothi daily paper in Visakhapatnam City Edition.   Ex.A7 is the office copy of the R.T.I. Application on 17.12.2012.  Ex.A8 is the Postal acknowledgement Card.   Ex.A9 is the letter issued by the 2^nd OP to the Complainant on 29.12.2012.

 

6.       The fact shown from Ex.A1is the application form of the Complainant  in Rajiv Gruhakalpa Phase-II.   EX.A4 is Demand Draft for Rs.3,000/- on 16.04.2007in the name of A.P. Housing Board, Hyderabad.

 

7.       The point that would arise for determination in the case is:-

Whether there is any deficiency in service on the part of the Opposite Parties.  The Complainant is entitled to any reliefs asked for?

 

8.         After careful perusal of the case record, this Forum finds that the Complainant paid Rs.3,000/- towards enrollment fee for allotment of a house in the Opposite Parties project.   It is not in dispute.   Though the Opposite Parties collected advance amount from the Complainant, they did not acquire even land to develop Rajiv Swagruha Project.   The Opposite Parties received an amount of Rs.3,000/- from the Complainant more than  7 years back i.e., on 16.04.2007.    There should be salutary action on person who presented such products like Rajiv Swagruha Project, collected money and kept silent for years together.   We feel that the attitude and conduct of the personnel who are managing the said Rajiv Swagruha Project amounts to grave deficiency of service cum unfair trade practice.   Such glaring deficiency of service on the part of the people who want to take protection under the guise of the Governmental sponsorship should be dealt with befittingly by the Judicial Fora.   We feel that in the present case the conduct of the Opposite Parties is more than deficiency of service cum unfair trade practice on the brink of outright cheating.   The supposed undertaking, placed in the Ex.A1 application that  (applicant) will not litigate in any court of law including Consumer Courts, is criminal in intent and is against the law of the land.    The Complainant is definitely entitled to substantial compensation besides refund of advance payment along with interest and costs.

 

9.       In the result, this Complaint is allowed directing the Opposite Parties 1 and 2: a) to refund an amount of Rs.3,000/- (Rupees three thousand only) with interest @ 9% p.a. from 16.04.2007 till the date of actual realization, and to pay 2) a compensation of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand only) and 3) Costs o Rs.2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) to the Complainant.      Advocate fee is fixed at Rs.2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only).   Time for compliance, one month from the date of this order.

Dictated to the Steno, transcribed by him, corrected and pronounced by us in the Open Forum, this 29^th day of November, 2014.

 

    Sd/-                                      Sd/-                                                   Sd/-

President                            Male Member                        Lady Member

                                     

 

APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE

For the Complainant:-

NO.	DATE	DESCRIPTIONOFTHEDOCUMENTS	REMARKS
Ex.A01	16.04.2007	Receipt an amount of Rs.250/- paid by the Complainant	Photo copy
Ex.A02	11.04.2007	Receipt issued by the Municipal Choultry, Bheemunipatnam, Vsp.	Original
Ex.A03	19.04.2007	Receipt issued by the Municipal Choultry, Bheemunipatnam, Vsp.	Original
Ex.A04	16.04.2007	D.D. an amount of Rs.3,000/-towards processing fee	Photo copy
Ex.A05		Docket Order in PLAC No.973/2012	Original
Ex.A06	27.10.2012	News Report published in Andhra Jyothi Daily Paper in Visakhapatnam City Edition.	Original
Ex.A07	17.12.2012	R.T.I. Application.	Office copy
Ex.A08		Postal Acknowledgement Card	Original
Ex.A09	29.12.2012	Letter issued by the 2nd OP to the Complainant.	Office copy

For the Opposite Parties:-      

                                                -Nil-

                                     

    Sd/-                                      Sd/-                                                   Sd/-

President                       Male Member                                               Lady Member

 

 

                                      -Nil- 

    Sd/-                                      Sd/-                                                   Sd/-  

Male Member                      Lady Member                                   President