R GOVARDHAN Vs. COX AND KING INDIA LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This complaint is filed by one R. Govardhan of 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore, against M/s. Cox and King (India) Ltd. , K. H. Road, Bangalore, for deficiency of service in respect of a package tour organized by the opposite party.

(2.) The facts of the case as set out in the complaint are as follows : the complainant came across an advertisement issued by the opposite party called "european Experience" in the first week of April 2000 and tempted by the glittering prospects envisaged in the advertisement he approached the opposite party and paid a sum of Rs.1,11,576+us $ 1296 for the tour for himself and his minor son. The package envisaged not only consisted of visits to stipulated places in European countries but also included a special package of 3 days free USA tour. It is stated that as per the advice of the opposite party he obtained a visa for himself and his son to United Kingdom. However, he was not able to secure visa to U. S. A. since the opposite party misguided him with regard to the actual payment to be made to the U. S. A. Consulate at Chennai for obtaining the visa on account of which no visa was issued to him. In view of such misguidance the complainant had to spend a sum of Rs.20,000/- at Chennai in connection with securing the visa to U. S. A.

(3.) It is stated that after finalization of the tour plan with the opposite party, the complainant along with his minor son left Bangalore on 15.5.2000 for Berlin to join his co-brother to spend a few days with him before joining the tour group at 2.00 p. m. on 30.5.2000 at Paris International Airport as per the tour itinerary. Before leaving Bangalore, all the information about the tour programme was confirmed by the opposite party and on that occasion the complainant's residence and office telephone numbers were also taken by the opposite party for the purpose of future contact. On 29.5.2000 when he was at Berlin he contacted the Paris office of the opposite party and talked to one Anil, the representative of the opposite party, who confirmed the tour itinerary and asked the complainant to join the 'european Experience' tour group on 30.5.2000 at Paris International Airport at 2.00 p. m. along with his son. The complainant also contacted his residence at Bangalore on the same day to inform that the tour will take off the next day from Paris as scheduled.