LI Network
Published on: December 1, 2023 at 12:51 IST
The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Bihar, with Mr. Justice Sanjay Kumar (President) and Mr. Ram Prawesh Das (Member), has held the Rohtas Postal Office accountable for a 19-day delay in delivering a college admission application.
The delay caused the complainant’s son to miss the admission deadline for JNU, Delhi. The State Commission ruled that the Consumer Protection Act provides additional remedies, and the exemption clause in the Indian Post Office Act doesn’t override the authority of Consumer Commissions to award compensation.
Details of the Case:
Premnath Singh used the Rohtas Post Office’s speed post service to send his son’s admission application to JNU, Delhi, for the academic year 2012-13.
The application, intended to reach JNU by June 27, 2012, faced a 19-day delay by the postal department. Consequently, Singh’s son missed the admission opportunity. Despite inquiries, the postal department failed to provide a reason for the delay.
In response, Singh filed a consumer complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Rohtas, Bihar, seeking Rs. 3,00,000 compensation for physical and mental harassment and litigation costs.
The District Commission granted the compensation, prompting the postal department to appeal to the State Commission.
Observations by the State Commission:
The State Commission cited the case of Post Office Hisar vs. Dilwan Singh, emphasizing that postal departments cannot evade responsibility solely based on Section 6 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
The State Commission also referenced Section 3 of the Consumer Protection Act, stating that remedies under the act are additional, and Section 14(d) empowers Consumer Commissions to award compensation based on consumer losses and injuries.
Consequently, the State Commission upheld the District Commission’s order, dismissing the postal department’s appeal.
Case Title: Superintendent of Post Offices, Rohtas Dn and Anr. vs. Premnath Singh