SANT SARAN SINHA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has challenged the order dated 20.6.2001 passed by the President. Uttar Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Lucknow, respondent No. 2 under the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (in short the 'Act').

(2.) Briefly, stated the facts are that the petitioner made a complaint before the District Consumer Forum, Varanasi, in respect of the telephone bills. The matter was heard by the President and the other two members of the District Consumer Forum, Varanasi. The President, District Consumer Forum, Varanasi, allowed the claim petition filed by the petitioner but the two members of the Forum arrayed as respondent Nos. 4 and 5 in this petition dismissed the petition.

(3.) The contention of the petitioner is that if two members differ on any point, they shall state the point or points on which they differ and refer the matter to the other member for hearing on such point or points and the opinion of the majority shall be the order of the District Forum as provided under the proviso to Sub-section (2A) of Section 14 of the Act but the President of the State Commission in contravention of this provision issued an order that as there is no unanimity amongst the members of the District Consumer Forum. Varanasi, the Members and the President, shall write separate judgments.