SHEELA VIG Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal against the order of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum -I, U.T., Chandigarh [hereinafter, for short, referred to as District Forum -I], dated 20.1.2004 in Complaint Case No. 1003 of 2002, Mrs. Sheela Vig v. Union of India & Anr.

(2.) IN nutshell the complainant s case is that late husband of the complainant had applied for a temporary telephone connection for premises at SCO 815, Manimajra, Chandigarh. He deposited Rs. 3,707/ - as security and other charges on 8.5.1998 at Post Office, Manimajra. Telephone No. 228713 was installed at the aforesaid premises on 12.5.1998. The telephone was disconnected by the Telephone Department in January, 1999. The husband of the complainant sought refund of the security vide letters dated 9.9.1999 and 19.8.2000 addressed to O.P. No. 2. Unfortunately the husband of the complainant expired and thereafter even she wrote a letter dated 13.11.2001 to O.P. No. 2 for the refund of the aforesaid amount of Rs. 3,707/ - but there was no response in spite of the above mentioned letters and personal visits. Therefore, a legal notice was sent to O.P. No. 2 but again nothing was done. This non refund of security being a deficiency in service the complainant has filed this complaint seeking following relief:

(3.) VERSION of the O.P. is that the amount of Rs. 3,707/ - included Rs. 2,000/ - as security, Rs. 800/ - as installation charges, Rs. 825/ - as three months rent and Rs. 82/ - as service tax. Out of this amount only Rs. 2,000/ - was refundable. However, there were three bills outstanding against the complainant as under: