HARMIT SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this common order we are disposing of two appeals filed against the order of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I, U. T. , Chandigarh [hereinafter referred to as District Forum-I, for short], dated 15.4.2004 in Complaint Case No.319 of 2002, Sh. Harmeet Singh V/s. Union of India and Another.

(2.) The complaint in nutshell is that the complainant bought a second hand Ambassador car for Rs.1 lac and applied to O. P. No.2 for transfer of ownership along with all the relevant papers on 25.4.1995. He was issued a slip for receipt of the documents and was repeatedly asked to come to collect the registration book but the same was never given on one pretext or the other. Ultimately in 2001 he was told that the file concerning his case is not traceable. The complainant then served a legal notice to the O. Ps. on 23.10.2001 but it evoked no response. The complainant avers that because of non-use in the absence of registration certificate the car has become junk and he could not even sell the car. In this complaint alleging deficiency in service on the part of the O. Ps, the complainant has sought following relief: (a) Rs. one lakh as the price of the car. (b) Rs.50,000/- on account of repeatedly visiting the O. Ps. office. (c) Rs.20,000/- on account of mental torture and harassment.

(3.) The version of the O. Ps. is that on account of a fire in the office of O. P. No.2 on 5.12.2000 the papers for transfer of ownership in case of the complainant were destroyed/misplaced. It has also been stated that the office has initiated disciplinary proceedings against officials responsible for the delay.