Matrimony site pays up after warrants issued against boss

Ishrat S Banwait

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 24

A matrimonial site paid over Rs 12,000 to a consumer after the Consumer Forum issued bailable warrants against its director for non-compliance of its order.

In a case of overcharging a consumer, Bharat Matrimonial was asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. However, it did not comply with the order, following which the forum issued bailable warrants against its director. The firm then paid the amount with interest and the matter was dismissed.

The complainant, Neetu Sood of Sector 47, had stated that her brother had paid Rs 14,699 for the firm’s privilege matrimony service in May 2015. A day later, the ‘relationship manager’ informed them that the cost of the service was Rs 9,000, post discount. Sood’s brother sent an email seeking refund of the entire amount, but in vain.

The company pleaded that except for Rs 199 charged for profile highlighter services, the rest of the amount was refunded in October. However, the court found that the package, which was available for a cheaper price, was sold at a higher price to the consumer. It was thus an unfair trade practice. Also, the refund was not made despite repeated calls and emails by the consumer. The company refunded the money only after the matter reached the forum.

The company was thus asked to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment caused to the complainant, along with Rs 5,000 as costs of litigation. The said order was passed in February this year. However, the company did not comply with the order and in September, bailable warrants were issued against the director/ proprietor of the company.

On November 14, the company paid a total of Rs 12,515, which included the interest component, and the case was dismissed by the forum after the complainant withdrew it.