Order Date: 10th May 2024
Order Name: Sh. Rajender Singh Raja vs Vikas Travels and Others
Case No.: CC No. 130/23
When you board a bus, you trust that the service provider will get you to where you need to go. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for one passenger who found himself stranded before reaching his destination. Vikas Travels and their bus owner were found responsible for this fiasco by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, North-East Delhi. The panel was headed by Surinder Kumar Sharma, Anil Kumar Bamba, and Adarsh Nain.
This traveler had boarded a Vikas Travels bus from Jaipur to Delhi, with the assurance that he’d be dropped off at ISBT Kashmiri Gate. However, at 8:00 pm near Subroto Park in Dhaula Kuan, Delhi, the bus driver and conductor asked everyone to get off, saying it was the final stop.
The passenger argued, reminding them of their promise to drop him at ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Their response was less than polite, and they claimed they had to head back to Jaipur. The stranded passenger called the Police Control Room, and officers from the Cantonment Police Station arrived. He filed a written complaint there the next day, December 30, 2022.
With no other options, the passenger was forced to hire a rickshaw to get home to Brahmpuri, Delhi, which cost him Rs. 290. On February 1, 2023, he sent a letter to the bus owner and associated parties, demanding Rs. 50,000 in compensation for his troubles. The reply he received was dismissive and unsatisfactory.
With no other recourse, he filed a complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, North-East Delhi. Neither Vikas Travels nor the bus officials bothered to appear before the commission.
Upon reviewing the evidence and documents provided by the passenger, the commission found in his favor. Vikas Travels and the bus owner were unable to contest the charges as they failed to provide a written statement. The commission ruled that the passenger was not delivered to his promised destination, and this constituted a deficiency in service.
As a result, Vikas Travels and the bus owner were ordered to pay the passenger Rs. 10,000 with 9% interest as compensation. Furthermore, they were directed to cover his litigation costs amounting to Rs. 5,000.
This case exemplifies the importance of service providers upholding their promises. It also signifies that consumers have rights and can seek redress when those rights are infringed. It’s a reminder that no one is above the law, and accountability is essential in the service industry.
