Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North), has directed an online travel agency to refund Rs 90,000 to a couple who cancelled pilgrimage to Kailash Mansoravar yatra.
In the petition, K. Parthasarathy, Ullagaram, said that Om Yatra was organising tour programme to various destinations and pilgrim centres. He wished to go on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansoravar along with his wife K.P. Vijayalakshmi. He paid Rs 50,000 each to the tour.
As his wife became sick, he cancelled the tour and regarding this he sent an email on March 6, 2015. Parthasarathy asked for refund of the amount from the company. After repeated request, it issued a cheque for Rs 1 lakh on December 4, 2015.
However, the cheque was returned from the bank due to insufficient funds. Again, he demanded refund from the company and it company paid him '10,000 on Jannuary 12, 2016.
As the company failed to repay the balance amount of '90,000, he issued a legal notice to the company on July 24, 2016. He also sought a compensation of Rs 50,000 for causing him mental agony. As management of Om Yathra failed to appear before the forum it was called absent and set ex-parte.
The bench comprising president K. Jayabalan and member T. Kalaiyarasi, as per the conditions of the company, if anyone unable to undertake the tour programme they were required to inform it 60 days in advance and the full amount paid by them would be refunded in 45 days.
The bench said Parthasarathy informed the company about the cancellation 60 days in advance prior to commencement of the tour program. The bench ordered the company to refund Rs 90,000 and also to pay a compensation of '10,000 for causing mental agony and cost of '5,000.
