Panel sets aside order directing school to refund admission fee

Chandigarh, June 5

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission here has set aside the order of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum directing St Kabir Public School to refund the admission charges to a student.

The commission ruled that the education institutions were not covered under the Consumer Protection Act and could not be held guilty for deficiency in service.

St Kabir School had challenged the order dated February 13, 2020, which directed the institute to refund the balance fee of Rs 27,000, after deducting Rs 1,000 towards registration charges, to the student.

The forum had also directed the school to pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation cost and compensation. Such matters cannot be entertained by the consumer forum under the Consumer Protection Act, the commission observed.

“Accordingly, we find that the appellant who falls in the category of educational institution, cannot be held for deficiency in service,” read the order.

“The impugned order passed by the district commission stands set aside,” it added. — TNS