UNION OF INDIA Vs. LAL BABU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal by the Postal Authorities against the judgment and order in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Sangrur dated 5.2.2007 by which the complaint of complainant Lal Babu was allowed in the following terms:

(2.) This complaint is stated to have been forwarded by the Postmaster, Sub Post Office, Malerkotla to the Superintendent, Post Offices, Sangrur Division, Sangrur, which was received there on 24.5.2006. On 25.5.2006 a letter is stated to have been addressed by the office of the Superintendent, Post Offices, Sangrur Division. Sangrur to the complainant that he should furnish a xerox copy of the money order receipt. According to the Counsel for the appellants, the xerox copy was not supplied. Another complaint sent by the complainant to the Postmaster, Sub Post Office. Malerkotla was received in the office of the Superintendent, Post Offices, Sangrur Division, Sangrur from the Postmaster, Sub Post Office, Malerkotla on 8.6.2006. Another letter is stated to have been addressed to the complainant by the Superintendent of Post Offices, Sangrur Division, Sangrur on 9.6.2006 repeating the same thing as was mentioned in letter dated 25.5.2006, i.e. that xerox copy of the money order receipt should be furnished. According to the appellant, the same was not sent. The complainant filed a complaint before the District Forum on 10.7.2006, which has been decided in favour of the complainant as aforesaid. Hence the present appeal.

(3.) Learned Counsel for the appellants submitted that it was first time after the filing of the complaint that copy of the money order receipt was sent along with the affidavit to the appellants, which was received on 19.7.2006. On 25.7.2006 a duplicate money order was issued and duly received by the payee on 11.8.2006. i.e. during the pendency of the complaint before the District Forum.