WWICS found guilty of deficient service

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Worldwide Immigration Consultancy Services Limited (WWICS) to pay over Rs 2.50 lakh to a Panchkula resident for charging fee twice, not getting the immigration work done and then refusing refund to the complainant.

The consumer wanted to settle in Canada and had thus approached the firm.

According to the complainant, Abhishek Bhatti, driven by the representations and assurances of the firm that he had a very strong case, he entered into a contract for his immigration case under ‘Federal Skilled Worker’ category for Canada. He paid Rs 84,270 as initial retainership/consultancy fee at the time of the execution of the contract of engagement on May 2, 2013. Thereafter, he paid Rs 10,170 (203.40 US dollars) in favour of World Education Services for assessment of his educational credentials.

Further, the opposite parties demanded 550 Canadian dollars (Rs 27,500) under the name of Receiver General of Canada, which was fulfilled. The balance consultation/retainership fee of Rs 75,000, along with Rs 853, was also paid. 

Bhatti’s case, however, was received back due to capping and the visa processing demand order of 550 Canadian dollars was also refunded.

When the complainant approached the opposite parties for refund of the consultancy fee and other charges, they allured him into hiring their services again. He entered into a fresh contract of engagement on May 10, 2014, and was made to pay Rs 67,416. Thereafter, the complainant’s case was filed again and 550 Canadian dollars (Rs 27,500) were taken for one more time. However, vide letter dated November 21, 2014, the case was rejected by the Canadian immigration authorities. 

When approached, the opposite parties informed the complainant that they had moved an application for reconsideration of his case. However, the said application was also declined by the Canadian authorities. 

Thereafter, the complainant time and again met the firm officials, including the branch manager, for the refund of the entire above said amount, but to no avail.

In its reply, the firm stated that as per the contract, its job was only to prepare and file the case. It added that the amount of Rs 1.50 lakh was non-refundable and Rs 18,540 was paid towards service tax, which too was non-refundable.

The forum observed, “We feel that when the complainant could not be successful in the first instance, there was no occasion for the opposite parties to lure him again for the same futile exercise, which seems that it was their trap for the complainant resulting in wastage of time, energy and of course, money, and most importantly, the indulgence of the complainant in the present unnecessary litigation.”   The order reads, “Who knows how many gullible consumers have been harassed by the opposite parties in such a clever manner?” 

The forum thus directed WWICS to refund Rs 2.04 lakh and Rs 10,170. It was also asked to pay a sum of Rs 27,500, along with Rs 10,000 as compensation on account of deficiency in service and causing mental and physical harassment to the complainant and Rs 5,000 as cost of litigation.  

Complainant’s case was rejected twice

• The Canadian immigration authorities had rejected the case of the complainant, Abhishek Bhatti, a resident of Panchkula, but WWICS lured him into hiring its services again. The complainant’s case was filed again, along with fee, but that too was rejected.
• The forum observed, “We feel that when the complainant could not be successful in the first instance, there was no occasion for the opposite parties to lure him again for the same futile exercise, which seems that it was their trap for the complainant resulting in wastage of time, energy and of course, money, and most importantly, the indulgence of the complainant in the present unnecessary litigation.”