ONKAR TRAVELS Vs. MANJIT SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Vide this order of ours, which is being delivered in Appeal Case No.119 of 2001, we propose to dispose of the aforesaid two appeals i. e. Appeal Nos.119 and 238 both of 2001 filed against one and the same dated 17.1.2001 passed by the Dispute Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I, U. T. , Chandigarh (for short hereinafter to be referred as the District Forum-I) in Complaint Case No.229 of 1997, Sh. Manjit Singh Dhooria V/s. Commercial Manager, Aeroflot and Others.

(2.) The complainant, Sh. Manjit Singh Dhooria was to visit Moscow for a short assignment of World Bank, from 18.11.1996 to 22.11.1996. On 1.11.1996 the complainant contacted M/s. Khanna Enterprises/o. P. No.3 and paid Rs.16,500/- for booking an air ticket from Delhi to Moscow and back. O. P. No.3 gave this booking to M/s. Onkar Travels/o. P. No.2, who are the authorised agents for Aeroflot in Chandigarh. On 3.11.1996, reservation was confirmed and a ticket bearing No.5554124223286 was issued to the complainant by O. P. No.2 with dates of outward and inward journey as 16.11.1996 and 25.11.1996 respectively, by flights No. SU 536 and SU 535. The complainant travelled by taxi from Chandigarh to Delhi and checked in at the Delhi Airport at 0400 a. m. on 16.11.1996. He was told by the lady at the booking counter of Airport that his name did not figure in the list of confirmed passengers for the flight to Moscow. When contacted by the complainant, Aeroflot duty officer, Mr. Sanjay was surprised to see 'ok' status on the air ticket. He was, however, not able to accommodate the complainant in the flight and the complainant was also refused hotel booking by the Airline as his name did not figure in the list of confirmed passengers of the Airline. Mr. Sanjay aforesaid, however, endorsed the ticket with following remark: "pax reported at check in at 0400 a. m. but not accepted as not listed" (Annexure A-1 refers ).

(3.) The Airline, however, rescheduled the journey of the complainant on the same air ticket for outward journey on 19.11.1996 and inward journey on 27.11.1996. In view of the situation created the complainant came back to Chandigarh by taxi and again went back to Delhi by taxi on 18.11.1996 to catch the flight on 19.11.1996. The complainant undertook the air journey as per the revised schedule. For the additional expenditure incurred and for the harassment/inconvenience and degradation caused the complainant lodged the complaint and prayed for a compensation amounting to Rs.2,48,465/-.