PUSTAK MAHAL Vs. RATTAN LAL PREMI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision petition arises out of the order dated 24.9.2001 of the Delhi State Commission in Appeal No. 223/1999. The brief facts of the case are as follows : Respondent No. 1, Shri Rattan Lal Premi (the original complainant) filed a petition before the District Forum, Delhi alleging that he had purchased four books from the petitioner, Pustak Mahal and that the petitioner increased the price of the books by putting a sticker of the enhanced price on the original printed price and thereby committed an unfair trade practice. He prayed that : (a) the excess amount be ordered to be refunded to him along with adequate compensation and costs of litigation; and (b) that the District Forum should direct the Government to raid the premises of various publishers who follow this practice and to seize all the books having stickers of enhanced price on them.

(2.) The District Forum vide its Order dated 28.1.1999 ordered refund of the extra amount of Rs. 46.50 and awarded cost of Rs. 500/-. Dis-satisfied with the limited relief given by the District Forum, the complainant, Shri Premi approached the State Commission in appeal. In addition to enhancement of compensation, he prayed that the books with stickers belonging to the publisher be seized and a warning be given to him to prevent such occurrences in future. The Delhi State Commission which heard the appeal gave a further direction to the respondent to discontinue the unfair trade practice of putting stickers of enhanced price on the printed price of the books. It is against this order that Pustak Mahal has come in revision before us.

(3.) Respondent No. 1 filed an application in this Commission for appointing Amicus Curiae to contest the case on his behalf. The Counsel, Mr. Rakesh Upadhyay has been appointed to defend the respondent at our request.