: The Consumer Protection Act is for saving a consumer from harassment and not for enriching him, the Delhi State Consumer Commission has said.
The State commission made the remark while dismissing the complaint of a Central Delhi resident, who had claimed a “highly exaggerated” amount as compensation.
“The Consumer Protection Act is meant for saving a consumer from exploitation and harassment, not for enriching him,” said a Bench headed by the forum’s president Justice Veena Birbal.
The Bench made the remark while dismissing the plea seeking compensation of Rs. 98 lakh from a French language institute based in France, with a centre in New Delhi too.
The complainant said he had studied French up to the intermediate level and was working as a language specialist and tutor. He said he had gone to France in 2009 for pursuing his international Masters degree to enhance his prospects. Further, he said he was selected by the institute, for which he deposited a fee of 200 Euros in advance to confirm admission.
He then left for France to pursue the two-year Masters degree.
Since he could not clear the last semester twice, as the tutor who was to check his thesis did not help him, he was left with no option but to repeat the last semester by paying 3,016 Euros.
The other tutor assigned to him also failed to offer good service, the plea said.
The complainant said he suffered professionally, mentally and financially, and had to be treated at AIIMS.
Seeking a refund of the fee he had paid for both semesters, he also claimed compensation for mental and physical agony, loss of earnings — all adding up to Rs 98.25 lakh.
“…it may be mentioned that taking admission and paying fee does mean that candidate is entitled to a Masters degree.
According to the complainant himself, he learnt French language up to intermediate level. He could not get Masters degree straightway. There is a long gap in the intermediary level and Masters degree,” the Commission said.
Consumer Protection Act is for saving a consumer from harassment and not for enriching him, Delhi State Consumer Commission said
