A.K.ANNAMALAI J. - (1.) Opposite party before the District Forum is the appellant in this appeal.
(2.) The respondent/complainant is a practicing advocate. On 18.9.2007, during night hours he traveled in the State Transport Corporation bus from Salem to Coimbatore at 8.30 pm and at about 12 hours in the mid night nearby Perumanallur Petrol Bunk the bus was stopped for taking tea, tiffin by the passengers and accordingly when the complainant gone for the same and after returning to the bus he found that the bus left without taking him. He also kept his bag in the bus, which was also not cared for by the driver or conductor of the bus and the complainant contacted the Sub Inspector of Police one Banu to came there and through him the information was sent to Karumathampatti Police Station and by reaching there the complainant collected his bag and there after he reached his place through some other vehicle and thereby he claimed Rs.97,000/- as compensation from the opposite party for the deficiency of service.
(3.) Before the District Forum, since the opposite party failed to appear even after receipt of notice, the opposite party was set exparte and after marking the documents Exhibit A1 to a3, the District Forum allowed the complaint and directed to pay compensation of Rs.20,000/- with cost of Rs.1,000/- by the opposite party.;