Mr. Justice S.A. Kader, President—The appeal arises out of the order of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Thanjavur in O.P. 81/91 dated 11.10.91. The Opposite Parties are the appellants.

2. This is a complaint filed by the Consumers Council of Thanjavur on behalf and for the benefit of one Mrs. Junaitha Begum. The said Junaitha Begum pledged her chain weighing 114 grams with the Opposite Party, South Indian Bank, Thanjavur on 16.3.90 and borrowed a loan of Rs. 15,000/- repayable with interest thereon at@ 18% per annum. On 13.6.91 she received a communication from the first Opposite Party calling upon her to repay the loan amount and redeem the jewel within 15 days from the date of this receipt of notice, failing which the same would be sold in auction. But on 25.6.91 itself the jewel was sold by the first Opposite Party and Mrs. Junaitha Begum was informed by notice dated 4.7.91 that after adjusting the loan amount and the interest thereon, a sum of Rs. 8,884/- was due to her. It is the case of the complaint that the first Opposite Party has committed deficiency of service in selling the jewel before the stipulated time and that too for a very low price. Hence thi