(1.) The instant complaint was filed on 18.11.1999. The main grievance of the complainants was that OP should be directed to refund the tour expenses in the sum of Rs.19,12,695/-, paid by a group of family members and damages to the tune of Rs. 10,00,000/-, for a tour to Europe.
(2.) When the case was fixed for final arguments, learned counsel for the complainant moved an application for amendment of complaint, wherein the following averments were made. Vide Order dated 13.05.2009, this Commission treated the complaint as having been filed on behalf of fourteen persons who were named in the Resolution dated 07.10.1999. On the same day, counsel for OP raised an objection that since the complaint is to be treated on behalf of 14 persons, therefore, this Commission will have no pecuniary jurisdiction as at the relevant time when this complaint was filed, this Commission had the jurisdiction of Rs.20.00 lakhs above. When the case pertains only to fourteen persons, in that event, this Commission must have no jurisdiction because the total valuation would be reduced to an amount which should be less than Rs.20.00 lakhs.
(3.) It is now submitted that the OP1 had not charged from the complainant, air fare, i.e., INR 21,500+4,960, thus total amount for fourteen persons comes to Rs.3,70,440/-. Again, OP charged, per head, @ Rs. 28,820/-, thus the total amount comes to Rs.7,73,920/-. The OP further charged Rs.1,600/- as supplementary charges, per person, thus this amount comes to Rs.22,400/-, thus total amount of the aforesaid costs, comes to Rs.7,96,320/-. The said amount was charged in May, 1999 and the complainant is to refund the said amount along with 18% interest and this amount of interest comes to Rs.18,00,000/- for the period from 01.07.1999 till the year 2011, thus the total amount is Rs.25,96,320/-. The amendment application has given a long list for the deficiencies on the part of OP1. It is now contended that the following figures should be substituted:-