Consumer Forum awards compensation of Rs. 50, 000 to law student for deficiency of services offered by University

A law student was recently awarded a compensation of Rs. 50,000 by the North Goa Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, for the failure on the part of CJM University, Meghalaya to conduct the examination of the course in 2013 after the student had paid the fees.

The Forum also directed a refund of Rs. 46,800 that the complainant, Mr. Vishal Gaonkar, had paid for the Course. In addition, Rs. 20,000 was awarded as costs. The amount of Rs. 50,000 was awarded for mental agony and suffering.

“That even if the opposite party 1 (ELI) has tried to run away from their liability, we think that they are also liable and there is deficiency in service on their part as they have accepted the fees against the examination,” the Bench comprising President Sanjay M. Chodankar and members Auroliano De Oliveira and Varsha R. Bale was quoted as saying.

As per TOI, Mr. Gaonkar had, in 2012, purchased a prospectus for 300 from the institute for a law degree course. He thereafter paid fees amounting to Rs. 46,500 and was directed to appear for the examination in June, 2013. However, no exams were conducted, which compelled him to send a legal notice to Engineers Learning Institute (ELI), Panaji.

He was informed by ELI that it was merely functioning as an information centre for Apex Learning Technology Ltd (ALTL), Bengaluru, which was affiliated to CJM University. He was further informed that the Government of Meghalaya had noticed irregularities in the functioning of the University and had thereafter directed it to stop its operations for the time being. The issue was pending before the Supreme Court.

The complainant had then approached the Consumer Forum, which found deficiency in services on the part of the institute.