THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a KSRTC bus conductor to pay Rs 1,000 as compensation for abusing a passenger and causing him mental agony. The passenger Jayan P of Karuvatta, Alappuzha and his wife Vijayashree were travelling from Pathirapally to Alappuzha in 2005.
Jayan was carrying their child who was then eight months old and as a result he was delayed taking out his purse from his pants pocket to buy the ticket from the conductor Ajayakumar. The conductor started verbally abusing the man and allegedly did not return Rs 3 in change on the tickets.
After ending the journey, the passenger approached the Alappuzha depot Controlling Inspector. The conductor who rushed into his office also started abusing the passenger.
This allegedly caused mental agony and the passenger moved the Alappuzha Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum demanding Rs 50,000 as compensation. However the forum could not find any deficiency in service. Mrs Vijayashree then appealed before the Consumer Commission.
The conductor argued that he had no change and hence did not return the '3 as balance. He claimed that he hurled abuses because he was threatened and insulted by the passenger in front of the Controlling Inspector.
