DEPARTMENT OF TELEPHONES & ORS Vs. R SUBRAMANIAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) - Having carefully gone through the Order of the State Commission and the connected records we find no error of law or even of fact in the order impugned in this appeal The records disclose that despite the fact that the telephone of the Complainant had not been energised for a period of several months, huge bills amounting to more thana lakh of rupees were served on the Complainant purporting to be for calls made during the period when the telephone was not even energised. Subsequently other wrong bills were repeatedly sent which were sought to be explained away by the department on the excuse that they were due to "computer error". The State Commission has rightly ordered that the excess amounts collected from the Complainant should be refunded to him and a compensation of Rs. 15,000/- was also directed to be paid for a harassment and mental anguish caused to the Complainant by reason of the conduct of the Appellant. We consider that the compensation awarded is reasonable in the context of the extraordinary facts and circumstances of this case. The appeal is accordingly dismissed.