Case Note & Summary
The dispute arose between the Haryana Urban Development Authority and Sneh Lata Tewari regarding a consumer complaint. The respondent had been allotted a plot in Kurukshetra, Haryana, on 4.5.1981, which was later exchanged for another plot. The approval of the site plan took nearly 20 years, with the first approval on 30.7.1984 and the second in 2004. The respondent filed a suit that was decreed in her favor on 12.9.1995. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the appellant to pay compensation for the deficiency of service, including Rs.1 lakh for mental agony. During the hearing, the respondent's counsel indicated that the amounts awarded had already been paid, suggesting that the appeals were moot. The appellant's counsel could not contest this claim. The Supreme Court found no merit in the appeals and dismissed them, stating that the appellant had indeed committed a deficiency of service and that the compensation awarded was justified. The court also decided that there would be no order as to costs.
Headnote
A) Consumer Protection - Deficiency of Service - Appeal Dismissed - Consumer Protection Act, 1986 - The appellant was found to have committed deficiency of service, leading to an order for compensation to the respondent for mental agony and other reliefs. The court upheld the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's order, finding no illegality or perversity in the decision. Held that the appeals lacked merit (Paras 1-3).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the appeals by Haryana Urban Development Authority against the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's order had merit.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, finding no merit in the claims made by the Haryana Urban Development Authority and upheld the compensation awarded to the respondent.
Law Points
- Consumer protection
- deficiency of service
- mental agony compensation
