Orissa

Rayagada

CC/391/2016

Sri Dilip Kumar Pradhan - Complainant(s)

Versus

The Post Master HPO, - Opp.Party(s)

Self

19 Feb 2018

ORDER

DISTRICT   CONSUMER  DISPUTES REDRESSAL    FORUM, RAYAGADA,

STATE:  ODISHA.

C.C. Case  No. 391 / 2016.                                       Date.    19    .2. 2018.

P R E S E N T .

Dr. Aswini  Kumar Mohapatra,                   President

Sri GadadharaSahu, .                               Member.

Smt.  Padmalaya  Mishra,                          Member

Sri Dilip  Kumar Pradhan  S/O: Abhimanyu Pradhan,   Near  OSRTC Garrage,        Po/Dist: Rayagada,State:  Odisha.                                                            …….Complainant

Vrs.

1.The Post Master, Head Post office, Rayagada.

2. The Post Master, Gndawali, PS:Bargwan, Dist: Singrauli, Madhyapradesh.

3.The Sr. Superintendent of Post office, Koraput Division, Po:Jeypore, Dist:Koraput.

4.The Post Master General, Odisha, Bhubaneswar.                                                                                                                                                                          .…..Opp.Parties

Counsel for the parties:                         

For the complainant: - Self..

For the O.Ps :- In person.

                                J u d g e m e n t.

        The  present disputes arises out of the complaint petition filed by the above named complainant alleging deficiency in service  against  afore mentioned O.Ps for non delivery  of  article/mobile which was sent through speed post.  The   brief facts of the case are summaried here under.

       1)That the complainant  had sent  mobile   through  speed post parcel  from  the O.P. No.1 to Sri Sandeep Kumar Pradhan, At/Po: Gondawali, PS:Bargwan, Dist: Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh State, Pin No. 486892  to   his brother  bearing consignment No. EO535639870IN  on Dt.3.10.2016.  Unfortunately  the above consignment  had not delivered at the  exact  specified   place and also the item was not  returned   back  in the address  of the  complainant. The cost of the item/mobile  was  Rs.9,999.00.  Inspite of repeated correspondence  with the O.Ps  not  action  has been taken  by the O.Ps till date.  Hence this case. The complainant prays the forum  direct the O.Ps  to pay the cost of the mobile set  a sum of Rs.9,999/- interalia  Rs.10,000/- towards compensation for mental agony and such other relief as the hon’ble forum deems fit and proper  for the best interest of justice.

       2) On being Noticed to the O.Ps the O.P. No.3 appeared  in person before the forum  and stated that being the operational head of Koraput postal Division is competent  to file the reply on behalf of all the   O.Ps   inter alia filed   written  version refuting the allegation made against them. The O.Ps taking other grounds in the written version   sought to dismiss the complaint as it is not maintainable  under the C.P. Act, 1986. The facts which are not specifically admitted may be treated  as denial of the O.Ps. Hence the O.Ps  prays the forum to dismiss the case against  them  to meet the ends of justice.

The O.Ps appeared and filed their written version.  Heard arguments from the    O.Ps and from the complainant.    Perused the record, documents, written version  filed by the parties. 

The  parties advanced arguments vehemently opposed the complaint touching the points both on the facts  as well as on  law.

                                               

         FINDINGS.

On  perusal of the record   revealed that  it is not disputed the complainant  had booked one speed  post  parcel at  Rayagada  Head post office, Rayagada  bearing No. EO535639870 IN  on Dt. 03.10.2016 addressed to   Sri Sandeep Kumar Pradhan, At/Po: Gondawali, PS:Bargwan, Dist: Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh State, Pin No. 486 892.  Again  it is not disputed  the  above speed post  was neither delivered to the  addressee nor returned back to the  sender after  lapse of more  than  one year. Further it is not disputed  the complainant had sent one web  complaint registered in the web on Dt. 19.12.2016. 

In written version para-4 the O.Ps clearly mentioned that the speed post parcel lost during  transit  (copies of the  letter of the  Superintendent of post office, Sahdol Dt. 28.3.2017 which is marked   as Annexure-1 .

On  perusal of the written version  filed  by the O.Ps it is  ascertained that after filing of C.C. case the O.Ps  have  made  correspondence to the complainant on Dt. 30.12.2016  to submit the original receipt for payment of admissible compensation to him (copies of the letter which is marked as Annexure-2). In  the written version    the  O.Ps  in  para -5  clearly mentioned  the O.P. could not deliver the   speed post article to the addressee as the same was not received at this office and was lost/misplaced in transit.  Further  the O.Ps  mentioned in the written version that as enjoined  in Department speed post Regulations, the complainant was addressed vide this office letter Dt. 30.12.2016 to submit the original receipt for payment of admissible compensation to him which  has not been availed by the complainant yet.

On perusal of the record  this forum observed the  O.Ps admitted the above  speed post parcel  had been lost/misplaced in transit  and  agreed to pay  compensation to the complainant  as per the Departmental  speed post regulations.

The complainant during the course of hearing filed the copies of the cash bill  towards purchase of mobile set which price was a sum of Rs.9,900/- ( copies of the  cash bill enclosed in the file  marked as Annexure-3)  which was sent through speed post. The complainant prays the forum direct the O.Ps to refund above mobile set price    inter alia to pay   Rs.10,000/- towards mental agony.

In view of the above discussion relating to the above case and  In Res-IPSA-Loquiture  as well as  in the light of the settled legal position  discussed  as above referring citations  there  exists deficiency in service on the part of the  O.Ps which is Aliane Juris. Hence  we allow the above complaint petition  in part.

Hence to meet the ends of justice, the following order is passed.

                                                                ORDER.

In Resultant the complaint petition is allowed in part on contest  against the O.Ps.

            The O.Ps  directed to refund the mobile price a sum of Rs. 9,900/- towards lost/misplaced in transit  through speed post besides  to pay an amount of Rs.2.000/- (Rupees two thousand) towards mental agony  and litigation cost to the complainant.

            The entire directions shall be carried out with in 45 days from the  date of receipt   of this order. Serve the order  to the  parties free of cost.

            Pronounced in the open forum on           19  ^th.day of February, 2018.

 

MEMBER                                                MEMBER                                                                                            PRESIDENT