Chennai: The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Chennai (South), has directed a packers and movers company to pay compensation of Rs 15,000 to a person for damage of household articles during transit.
In the petition, S. Suresh Kumar of Royapettah submitted that he proposed to send his household articles from Chennai to Bangarpet in Karnataka through a freight company. He approached Karthick of M/s. Thangam Packers and Movers, Thiruvanmiyur, for sending the articles.
On April 21, 2007, he paid Rs 8,200 as freight charges for transporting the goods. Karthick had promised to send six workers for the work.
However, he sent only three persons. The goods were delivered in Bangarpet on April 23, 2007. He said during transit a pet dog and several articles were lost. Several articles were damaged during the transit.
He raised the issue with Karthick and sought compensation towards the loss of articles and the pet dog. As there was no response, he approached the Forum seeking a direction to Karthick to pay compensation.
In his reply Karthick of M/s. Thangam Packers and Movers denied the allegation. He stated that all the articles were packed carefully before transit. As per the terms and condition of the company, it would not carry/transport any animals.
Carrying of pet dog was not mentioned in the bill.Hence the company has not committed any deficiency in service and petition liable to be dismissed, he said.
The bench comprising president M. Mony, members K. Amala and Dr T. Paul Rajasekaran, said considering the facts and circumstances of the case this forum is of the considered view that the company shall pay '15,000 towards the reasonable value of damaged articles including the cost of '5,000.
