- (1.) THIS appeal, under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 , is directed against the order dated 12.12.2005 in Complaint No. 14/2005 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Baikunthpur (hereinafter called District Forum for short) directing the appellants/Post -Office to pay Rs. 26,000 within 30 days with interest @ 9% p.a. Besides cost of Rs. 1,000 was also awarded.
(2.) INDISPUTABLY , the complainant/respondent No. 1 had opened recurring deposited account with the appellants/Post Office. Under the said account monthly instalments of Rs. 500 were to be deposited for a period of 60 months, with the appellants/Post -Office.
(3.) ACCORDING to the complainant/respondent No. 1, he deposited the above instalments for 52 months amounting to Rs. 26,000 through agent/respondent No. 2 with the appellants/Post Office. It was thus averred by the complainant that he was entitled to receive Rs. 26,000 with bonus, but the appellant only offered him Rs. 22,000 under the said account. Aggrieved, he approached the District Forum and filed the complaint. The present appellants in their reply admitted that respondent No. 2 was an agent of the appellants/Post Office. However, it was averred by them that the complainant/respondent No. 1 had only deposited instalment of Rs. 500.00 for 44 months, and thus he deposited only Rs. 22,000.00. Therefore, according to the appellants/Post Office the complainant/respondent No. 1 was only entitled to receive Rs. 22,000.00 with interest etc.;