BYJU’S Directed To Refund Rs 65,000 With Compensation To Customer: Hooghly District Commission Hold BYJU'S Liable For Unfair Trade Practices
The Hooghly District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided over by Mr. Debasish Bhandyopadhyay and Mr. Debasis Bhattacharya as a member, ruled in favor of a consumer complaint against BYJU’S, the well-known learning app provider. The complaint accused BYJU’S of engaging in dishonest and unfair trade practices. Specifically, the complaint alleged that...
The Hooghly District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided over by Mr. Debasish Bhandyopadhyay and Mr. Debasis Bhattacharya as a member, ruled in favor of a consumer complaint against BYJU’S, the well-known learning app provider. The complaint accused BYJU’S of engaging in dishonest and unfair trade practices.
Specifically, the complaint alleged that BYJU’S (Opposite Party) did not fulfil its promise to provide a full refund if the customer was unhappy with the learning app within 15 days. Apart from not keeping this promise, BYJU'S even charged an excessive fee of Rs. 9498/- for cancellation of the registration. As a result, the Commission ordered BYJU’S to reimburse the entire payment made for the learning app along with the cancellation fee. Furthermore, BYJU’S was directed to pay Rs. 5,000/- as compensation for causing distress and mental agony to the complainant.
Brief Facts
Mr. Subhrajit Das (Complainant) agreed to buy the learning app (BYJU'S) for his daughter after being contacted by the company's authorized agent. He paid Rs. 5,000 in cash and arranged to borrow Rs. 60,000 from a private finance company to cover the rest of the amount. The company assured him a full refund if he wasn't satisfied within 15 days.
BYJU’S then sent a tablet and a bag along with the app to Mr. Das's address. However, his daughter did not like the app, and they requested to cancel their registration within the promised period of 15 days. To cancel, BYJU'S representative asked for Rs. 9,498/-, which Mr. Das paid, believing that there would be no further deductions from his bank account. However, the company continued to deduct money for the app from Mr. Das's bank account. He contacted BYJU’S multiple times, but the issue was not resolved. Feeling deceived and treated unfairly, he filed a consumer complaint.
Arguments given by BYJU’S
BYJU’S did not deny the statements made by Mr. Subhrajit Das, regarding the purchase or the 15-day trial period. The company also expressed willingness to refund the money once Mr. Das provided his bank details. They also did not object to the complainant keeping the tablet and course materials.
Observations of the Commission
The Hooghly District Commission noted that BYJU'S had initially promised a refund if the complainant was dissatisfied within the 15-day trial period. However, it appeared that BYJU’S was not eager to follow through on this promise and also appeared to have misled the complainant in some manner. In addition to this, the learning app charged an unjustified fee of Rs. 9,498/- for cancelling the registration. As a result, the Commission concluded that these actions pointed towards unfair trade practices on the part of BYJU'S.
Based on these observations, the Commission directed BYJU'S to refund the full amount of Rs. 65,000/- for the learning app and Rs. 9,498/- for the cancellation of registration. Additionally, the Commission ordered BYJU'S to pay the complainant an extra Rs. 5,000/- as compensation for causing him distress and mental agony.
Case Title: Subhrajit Das vs. BYJUS & Ors.