Consumer panel directs Air India to pay Rs 45,000 relief for harassment

The HP State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Air India to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for harassment and mental agony, besides the litigation cost of Rs 25,000 to the complainant.

The commission headed by Justice Inder Singh Mehta passed these directions while allowing the complaint of Rohit Bhagwat, who had alleged that he had booked one ticket from Delhi to Shimla in the name of Dr Subramanian Swamy for October 19, 2019. As per the ticket, the time of departure of the flight was 7.50 am. He contended that Dr Subramanian Swamy was coming to Shimla on October 19 to preside over a lecture being organised by the students of HP University. When Dr Swamy reached the Delhi Airport to board the flight, he was informed that the plane had already departed at 6.50 am.

The complainant contended that thereafter, he purchased another ticket at his own cost to reach Chandigarh and from there a special helicopter was arranged for Dr Swamy. Due to the above said act of the airline, the whole function got ruined and as such, there was deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice on the part of the opposite parties.

However, Air India, in its reply, stated that the ticket was purchased in the name of Dr Subramanian Swamy but Rohit Bhagwat had filed the complaint on his behalf. Hence, it was not maintainable.

While allowing the complaint, the commission observed that “the complainant had purchased the ticket and also made the payment for it. Therefore, the complainant is a consumer in the present case as he had purchased the ticket and was asking for relief to refund the ticket amount that he had paid and inconvenience caused to him and his associates for no fault on their part.”

The commission also directed Air India to refund the ticket amount to the complainant along with interest.