- (1.) THIS appeal under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 , is directed against the order dated 22.1.2003 in Complaint No.354/02 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raipur (hereinafter called the 'distt. Forum' for short) directing the appellant to refund an amount of Rs.2,900/ - with interest @ 12% per annum thereon. Cost of the complaint was also awarded.
(2.) UNDISPUTABLY the appellant's school is run by Bharatiya Academic Society. The complainant/respondent's son Ashish Badwani was admitted in class 2. Total amount of Rs.2,900/ - towards etc. for the academic session 2000 -2001 was deposited on 27.6.2000 by the complainant/respondent. The said academic session of 2000 -2001 was to start from the month of July. However, when the complainant went to the school with his minor son, Ashish Badwani on 31st, he was informed that admissions would continue till 31.7.2000 and academic session would start thereafter. The complainant/respondent again went to the school with his son on 31.7.2000, but it was found that the school has been closed. The complainant, therefore, demanded refund of the amount of fees etc. deposited by him.
(3.) THE complaint was resisted by the appellant inter alia on the grounds that the complainant/respondent is not the consumer of the appellant and that the complaint was barred by limitations. The Distt. Forum repelled the defence as above of the appellant and held that the complainant/respondent is the consumer of the appellant and that the complaint was not barred by limitation. Accordingly the complaint was allowed and the appellant was directed to refund Rs.2,900/ - to the complainant/respondent.;