JOIN USDurga Mohan purchased groceries from Smart Retail Private Limited in Anand Nagar. His bill came upto Rs 1,006. But when he went home he was dismayed to find that the sugar had cost him Rs 85 per kg.
However, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) mentioned on the packet was Rs 23 per kg! Apart from the exorbitant price, Mohan was also charged VAT at four pc and another tax at 12.50 pc.
He rushed back to the shop to complain but was fobbed off with excuses.
He left his number with them but no one from the shop bothered to call him.
He finally filed a complaint before the Fourth Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The president of the Forum, G Siddanagoud, found the shop guilty of indulging in unfair trade practice though the latter claimed that a typographical error was responsible for the sugar price rising to high heaven! But the forum was not convinced and ordered the shop to pay up Rs. 50,000 as compensation to the consumer.
The shop was also told to deposit Rs. 25,000 out of the Rs 50,000 with the forum as punitive damages.
Cool membership
Goutham Prakash had paid Rs 2,50,000 to Country Club (India) Limited to become a Super Cool Vedic Spa member. The card he got was tampered with and made him suspicious. He approached the consumer forum seeking relief.
The First Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum President Bajentri H M ordered the club to give Praksh his membership card and pay him Rs 5,000 as compensation.
Mortgaged flat
Sudipta Lahiri had paid Rs 25,000 as advance to Orchha Hotels, Resorts and Residences Private Limited in Koramangala which promised to sell him a flat free from any encumbrances like mortgage etc. When he asked for a draft sale agreement they asked him to pay up Rs. 13,00,000 and showed undue haste in closing the sale transaction. Luckily he saw a public notice issued by Karur Vysya Bank in Deccan Herald that said that Orchha Hotels, Resorts and Residencies has mortgaged 56 residential flats known as Ittina Anu and if any of the public entered into any sale agreement they would be subject to the mortgage rights of the bank.
But Lahiri was unable to get back his advance and complained to this Forum which ordered the firm to refund his advance along with costs of Rs. 10,000.
This Forum has also ordered the Vyalikaval House Building Co-operative Society to repay Rs 32,000 to N Sulochana Devi who was waiting since 1993 in vain to get a site from this
society.
The number of the First Additional Consumer Forum for consumer complaints is: 22211137.