SENIOR POSTMASTER Vs. SANJAY KUMAR GUPTA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The respondent opened NSS account at Parliament Street, Post Office, New Delhi. He deposited Rs.30,000/- each on 31.3.89 and 30.3.90 respectively. Entries to this effect were made in the pass-book. When he presented the pass-book at the time of making the third deposit on 28.3.92 the dealing hand scored out the entry relating to deposit dated 30.3.90. The complainant pleaded for restoring the entry but to no purpose. He approached the District Forum. During the pendency of the complaint necessary correction was made in the entry. The District Forum, by order dated 19.12.94 held that this was a case of deficiency in service and accordingly saddled the opposite party with costs of Rs.5,000/-. Aggrieved by the order, the opposite party has preferred this appeal.

(2.) Mr. M. R. Mehta, Public Relation Inspector, who argued for the appellant, admitted before us that the deposit of Rs.30,000/- dated 30.3.90 was supported by evidence from the bank. He submitted that the dealing hand, however, entertained some doubt about the correctness of the entry on the basis of some pay-in-slip. We are not impressed by the argument. The fact remains that the complainant had to undergo lot of harassment in order to get the entry correctly restored in the pass-book. We, however, are further of the view that the amount of costs/ compensation awarded is somewhat on the high side. We, accordingly, partly accept the appeal and reduce the amount to Rs.2,500/-. Accordingly, it is directed that the appellant shall pay Rs.2,500/- to the respondent within one month of the receipt of a copy of this order failing which the said amount shall carry interest from the date of default till payment @ 18% p. a. A copy of this order be communicated to both the parties as well as D. F.-II.