B'lorean's plea on club membership rejected

Ashok Lobo had applied to be a member of the Catholic Club on June 6, 2008 after paying Rs 35,000 as fee besides the service tax. But the club raised the fee to Rs 50,000 following a decision taken during  its 58th annual general meeting.

Refusing to pay the amount, Lobo filed a complaint before a district consumer redressal forum contending that the approach of the club was not fair and honest.

 “Though he is eligible to become a club member he was not considered.  Due to hostile attitude of the respondent, petitioner for no fault of his, is made to suffer both mental agony and financial loss.  Hence, he felt deficiency in service,” the complaint said.

The district forum dismissed his complaint after the club claimed that  the fee deposited by Lobo had been refunded.

“The question of providing any service to its members by the club begins after he is admitted to be a member. Hence, before such admission, there is no relationship of consumer and service  provider. The complaint itself is not maintainable before this Forum,” it said.