REETA Vs. SIKANDAR SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The revision-petitioner is before us against concurrent orders of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Fategarh Saheb and the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The case of the complainant is that he had availed of the consultancy service of the opposite party (present revision petitioner) for the process of emigration to another country for employment and settlement. He was informed that the total expenditure involved in securing of passport, visa, tickets and employment would be Rs. 12.52 lacs. Allegedly, Rs. 2.52 lacs was paid to the OP in cash on 30.4.2009 followed by Rs. 5.00 lacs on 30.6.2009 and another Rs. 5.00 lacs on 30.7.2009. When the complainant insisted on the arrangement for going abroad, the OP refunded the amount taken from him in two cheques, one of 16.9.2009 for Rs. 2.52 lacs and the other of 15.5.2010 for Rs. 10.00 lacs. As both cheques were dishonoured for want of sufficient funds in the account, complainant with the District Forum was lodged.

(2.) The OP was ex-parte before the District Forum. In this behalf the Forum has observed that notices served on two occasions were "refused" by the OP.

(3.) The District Forum considered the evidence on record and directed the OP to pay Rs. 12.52 lacs to the complainant together with Rs. 5,000/- towards cost. While allowing the complaint, the Forum has observed :