DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION: BHADRAK

Dated the 2nd day of February, 2021

C.D Case No. 89 of 2020

                                        Present 1. Shri Basanta Kumar Mallick, Presiding Member

                                                     2. Afsara Begum, Member

Sri Arjun Ojha

S/O Late Braja Kishore Ojha

Vill- Nuapokhari,

Po- Charampa,

Ps- Bhadrak (R),

District- Bhadrak                                                              …………..  Complainant

                                                                      Versus

1. The Sector Manager, SAHARA INDIA COMMERCIAL CORPORATION Ltd. (SAHARA INDIA), Bhadrak Sector Office, KAR Complex, By-Pass,

Po: Bhadrak,

Ps: Bhadrak (T),

Dist: Bhadrak, Pin- 756100

2. The Teritorial Head, Sahara Credit Co-Operative Society Ltd. (SAHARA INDIA)

Teritorial Office, Plot No- 50, Sahid Nagar (Near Sahid Nagar Fandi)

Po: Sahid Nagar Bhubaneswar, Dist: Khurda- 751007

                                                                               …….OPPOSITE PARTIES

Counsel For Complainant: Muzahid Akhter Khan, Adv & Others

Counsel For the OPs        :  Ex-parte

Date of hearing:   01.02.2021

Date of order:       02.02.2021

BASANTA KUMAR MALLICK, PRESIDING MEMBER

               This dispute arises out of a complaint filed by the complainant alleging deficiency of service and unfair trade practice against the O.Ps. The facts of the complaint are to the effect that the complainant is a bonifide investor under Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd., popularly known as SAHARA INDIA LTD, a non-banking financial institution accepting deposit under investment from the common people in shape of bond for a specific period. Being motivated by the Sector Manager with a promise and assurance for alluring return, the complainant invested a sum Rs 1,00,000/- in as many as 10 numbers of bonds each of which consisting of 10 units valued Rs 1,000/- per unit for a period of 12 years commencing from the date of investment which were redeemed on 23.11.2018. The total amount invested in shape of 10 numbers of bonds by the complainant was Rs 1,00,000/- as against which the complainant was to receive Rs 3,00,000/- on 23.11.2018 as redemption value. But the O.Ps did not pay the entire amount in the said accounts on the date of redemption. As such the O.Ps are liable to pay Rs 3,00,000/- as on the date of redemption i.e. 23.11.2018. The details of investment and redemption value are mentioned here under in a table.

                   That after the date of redemption, the complainant has time and again requested the Sector Manager and Territorial Head for payment of redemption value but all of his efforts became fruitless as neither the Sector Manager nor the Territorial Head paid any heed to his request which amounts to deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. Being aggrieved with the attitude and behavior of the officers in position, the complainant filed this case requesting proper adjudication and disposal of the case with a direction to the O.Ps for payment of redemption value of all the bonds together with future interest as on the date of payment along with cost & compensation.

                   Even though the O.Ps have received the notice issued by this Commission, they did not turn up to appear before the Commission nor submitted any written version after sufficient opportunities given. Finally this Commission understood that the O.Ps are hesitant to appear before the Commission and submit written version for which the O.Ps are set ex-parte due to non appearance and the complainant was directed for ex-parte hearing on dt. 01.02.2021.

                     It is observed from the record and material evidences adduced by the complainant that he has invested the amount of Rs 1,00,000/- in as many as 10 numbers of bonds as mentioned in the above table. The said account has been redeemed on 23.11.2018 as per table but the O.Ps did not pay any redemption value to the complainant in spite of repeated requests and persuasions.

                    From the above facts and circumstances it is understood that the O.Ps have intentionally and deliberately caused delay in payment of the redemption value of the above mentioned bonds which leads to deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. It is also felt that the amount invested by the complainant was his hard earned money saved/invested with the O.Ps to meet the expenses of his future requirements.

             In  C.D. Case No. 71 of 2003  in the case of  Lt. Viju Samuel Vrs M/S Associate Roadways Carriers Ltd (98 (2004) CLT 9 (O S C)   decided on 6.8.2003  Hon’ble  State Commission Odisha  held that :

                    “Absence of O.Ps through notices are held sufficient – O.Ps set ex parte since previous dates- No Written version – State Commission to accept the uncontroverted statement of complainant- Assessment of loss – O.Ps liable to Pay”.           

                       Therefore it is felt necessary to allow the case for payment of the redemption value as mentioned in the above table together with future interest and cost & compensation.                                                                                     

​ORDER

                     In the result, the complaint be and the same is allowed against the O.Ps with cost and compensation. O.Ps are directed to pay redemption value of Rs 3,00,000/- along with future interest as would be calculated charging interest as admissible on fixed deposit accounts. Further the O.Ps are directed to pay compensation of Rs 5,000/- for mental agony and harassment and Rs 3,000/- towards cost of litigation. This order must be complied within 30 days from the date of receipt failing which additional 7% interest P.A shall be charged on the awarded amount from the date of order till the date of payment. 

                     This order is pronounced in the open Court on this day of 2^nd   February, 2021 under my hand and seal of the Commission.