DHARAM CHAND Vs. MANDEEP GAS SERVICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this appeal under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short' the Act'), the complainant-appellant questions the correctness of the order dated January 8,1992 passed by the District Forum, Ferozepore in Complaint Case No.42 of 1991 whereby his complaint has been dismissed on the ground that he is not a "consumer" under the Act.

(2.) For the sake of convenience, the Appellant and the respondent shall be referred to herein as the complainant and the opposite-party respectively.

(3.) The facts leading to this appeal are in a very narrow compass. It has been alleged in the complaint that when the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore invited applications for releasing L. P. G. connections in the year 1982, the complainant submitted his application for LPG connection. A list was prepared and by draw of lots his name figured at serial No.3246. Nearly seven years thereafter, he came to know that many other persons junior to him had been supplied such connections and he had been designedly ignored. Aggreived thereby, the complainant protested to the opposite-party who told him that the firm would not release the LPG connection, and in case he was still anxious to get the same, he would have to purchase gas-stove (chulha) at exorbitant price. The complainant then approached the District Forum and sought a direction to the opposite party for releasing his gas connection. On receipt of notice, Smt. Navjot Kaur, proprietor of M/s. Mandeep Gas Service, Ferozepore appeared before the District Forum and made a statement that the complainant never got his name registered with the firm nor he ever deposited any amount with it and that the complainant was not a "consumer" under the Act. In support of their respective stands, the parties adduced evidence.