A small shopkeeper in Bengaluru, who trusted a festive savings scheme for her Dasara groceries, was forced into a protracted legal fight after the promoters vanished with her money. In a significant ruling, a consumer court has now come to her aid, ordering a full refund with interest and compensation for the mental harassment she endured.
The Broken Promise of a Festive Scheme
The case revolves around Susheela N, a 58-year-old resident of Doddakempiah Layout in Rajarajeshwarinagar. She runs a small retail shop named M/s DK Store with her husband. In October 2022, she enrolled in a "Dasara Chit" savings scheme promoted by four of her customers: Harish, Ravichandra, Siddaraju, and Deepak Kumar.
Her decision was based on trust, as these individuals had successfully run the scheme the previous year. As per the agreement, Susheela began paying ₹600 every month from October 2022, with Deepak Kumar regularly collecting the payments until August 2023. The total amount collected from her was ₹7,200.
The promise was clear: in return for her monthly contributions, she would receive special grocery kits before the Dasara festival. However, when the festival time arrived, no groceries were delivered.
Empty Assurances and a Legal Battle
When Susheela confronted Deepak Kumar, he apologised and blamed his partners for misusing the funds. He assured her that the entire chit amount would be returned soon. He even promised an additional ₹600 per month as compensation, with a settlement deadline of September 2024.
These assurances proved hollow. Despite several reminders and a formal legal notice sent on April 25, 2024, the four promoters neither returned the money nor showed any intent to settle. Left with no choice, a cheated Susheela filed a formal consumer complaint on October 14, 2024, alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.
The Bangalore Urban II Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission issued notices to the four accused. Even after a substitute service through publication in a Kannada daily, they failed to appear. This led the commission to proceed with an ex parte hearing against them.
Justice Served: Refund, Interest, and Compensation
The commission, comprising President Vijaykumar M Pawale and Member Anuradha V, examined the evidence, including the Dasara Chit Card. They noted the clear failure to deliver the promised goods or refund the money.
In its order dated October 10, the commission stated, "The non-refunding of the collected amount and failure to provide the promised goods constitutes a clear deficiency of service and an unfair trade practice."
The final ruling was a decisive victory for the shopkeeper. The commission ordered Harish, Ravichandra, Siddaraju, and Deepak Kumar to jointly and severally:
- Pay ₹6,600 to Susheela N, with 8% annual interest from October 1, 2023.
- Pay an additional ₹8,000 as compensation for the mental agony and litigation costs incurred by the complainant.
This case highlights the effectiveness of consumer forums in protecting ordinary citizens from fraudulent schemes and delivering timely justice, even when the opposite party chooses to remain absent.
