Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (South), directed a popular courier firm to pay a compensation of Rs 20,000 to a guitarist for inordinate delay in delivering a courier containing a ticket for an international rock concert in Bengaluru, seven years back. He wished to attend the concert of 'Metallica', a famous rock band from USA.
In the petition, Manoj Sreekumar, Thiruvanmiyur, a guitarist, submitted that he planned to attend 'Rock in India', a music event performed by world famous American rock band 'Metallica' at Bengaluru on October 30, 2011. He had booked a ticket through a website and paid Rs 2,750 for the concert and Rs 75 towards courier charges.
On October 15, 2011, DTDC Courier & Cargo Limited, Bengaluru, shipped the ticket to him.
But, the ticket had not reached him even five days after it was dispatched from Bengaluru. Despite repeated enquiries, the courier firm did not give him a proper reply.
The courier had neither reached him nor it was returned to the sender. Hence, Manoj was constrained to issue notice to the courier firm.
Manoj Sreekumar, said he was residing in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, for the past 25 years and there was no chance of returning the consignment. However, in the track report, it was mentioned that the consignment was delivered a month after the concert was over on November 30, 2011. He sought a compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh for causing him mental agony and for deficiency in service.
In its response, the management of DTDC Courier & Cargo Limited, denied the allegation and stated that the person who booked the consignment did not disclose the materials or documents kept inside the cover. The firm never assured that the consignment would reach him within any prescribed time. If the address of the consignee / consignor is incomplete or insufficient, the firm cannot be held responsible for non-delivery. Hence, the complaint is liable to be dismissed, the management said.
The bench comprising president M. Mony and member K. Amala said the consignment was delivered after a delay of 45-days, and it reached the customer only on November 30, 2011. The firm had not explained the reason for such inordinate delay.
The firm had not stated how and where the consignment was locked for such a long period of 45 days, which proved that the firm committed deficiency in service.
Hence, this forum is of the considered view that DTDC Courier shall pay Rs 15,000 towards compensation in addition to cost of '5,000, the bench said.
