MAULESH R.PARIKH Vs. SHARAD MEHTA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal arises out of order/award dated 20/12/2008 passed in consumer complaint no.59/2005 Sharad Mehta & others v/s. Shri Maulesh R. Parikh passed by Additional District Consumer Forum, Mumbai Suburban. Appellant/ org.O.P.(Herein after referred as Organizer), as part of religious activity, organized a religious tour, which is for only Marjadi Vaishnav Devotees with limited number of 15 were invited to participate therein. Each participant contributed Rs.30,000/- and the tour was commenced from Mumbai on 15/10/2004. It was arranged for about 90 days religious tour. Respondents/original complainants (herein after referred as participants), accepting invitation participated in the said tour and also contributed each Rs.30,000/-. First stop of tour was at Chikhali in Gujarat State and from where the participants complainants decided to discontinue the tour and returned back to Mumbai. The organizer arranged for their return journey. Tour was completed with rest of the participants devotees.

(2.) It is the grievance of the participants/complainants that the first stop after leaving Mumbai was at Surat and where a dispute arose due to unreasonable excess demand of luggage charges by the organizer. They were forced to abandon the tour and returned back to Mumbai. They claimed back the amount which they have shared i.e. Rs.30,000/- each excluding Rs.1000/- each adjusted towards return journey expenses from Surat to Mumbai. However, the organizer though promised, failed to return the same and therefore, they have filed the consumer complaints.

(3.) Forum below decreed the claim directing to refund Rs.87,000/- to the participants/complainants along with interest @ 6% p.a. w.e.f. 17/1/2005 and also awarded compensation of Rs.5000/- and Rs.500/- towards the cost. Feeling aggrieved thereby, this appeal is preferred by the organizer.