JAYARAM J. - (1.) This appeal is preferred by the Appellant/First Opposite Party against the Order passed by the District Consumer Forum, Tirunelveli in C.C.112/2003.
(2.) The respondents 1 and 2, as complainants had filed the complaint before the District Forum, claiming compensation of Rs.2,00,000/- from the first opposite party for deficiency in service, in that, the first opposite party did not issue the discharge certificate and sterilization certificate and further the first opposite party demanded excessive room rent; and further praying for a direction to the second opposite party to settle the medi-claim policy by paying Rs.19,992/- to the complainants.
(3.) The case of the complainants is as follows: The second complainant is the wife of the first complainant. The second complainant was admitted in the maternity hospital run by the first opposite party for delivery on 25.11.2002 at about 8.30 p.m. and the second complainant delivered a baby at about 10.40 p.m. on the same night which was normal delivery. The first complainant wanted an ordinary room after the delivery, but he was provided with an air-conditioned room that too only on the next day, that is on 26.11.2002 at about 8.30 a.m. and through out the night, the second complainant remained in the general ward and the first complainant and his parents were forced to stand on the veranda through out the night. The first opposite party informed the first complainant that though an air conditioned room was provided, they would collect rent only on par with the ordinary room. The room which was provided in the hospital did not have light facility in the kitchen and bath room. Subsequent to the delivery, the second respondent underwent a sterilization operation on 29.11.2002 and she remained in the hospital till 7.12.2002. The first complainant informed the first opposite party that he was entitled to reimbursement of the medical expenses by way of medical claim from the second respondent and at the time of discharge on 7.12.2002 he paid Rs.17,150/- and settled the hospital bill. He paid rent for the room for the check-in and check-out days and further he paid rent for the room where there was no light in the bath room and kitchen during the entire period of stay. The complainants suffered mental agony from the date of admission till discharge facing lot of inconvenience and thus there was deficiency in service to the patient.;