Mr. Justice S.S. Sandhawalia, President—Whether lottery ticket holders are within the ambit of the definition of a consumer under the Act ? Whether this beneficent jurisdiction is to be extended to such wagering transactions? This is the twin significant question in this complaint.

2. In view of the pristinely legal question aforesaid the facts pale into insignificance. These may be noticed in their barest outline.

3. Mr. Jagdish Chander had purchased a lottery ticket No. S.C.207197 of Sikkim Bharti lotteries at Pehowa. The draw of the State Lottery was held on the 12th of February, 1992 and the complainant was declared the winner of the first prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-. Thereafter on the 6th of March, 1992 the complainant completed all the necessary formalities and sent his claim for payment through the Canara Bank. There was apparent delay in finalising the payment to the complainant and he consequently preferred the present complaint on the 21st of December, 1992 claiming Rs.1,00,000/- against the first prize and curiously another rupees one lac. for the mental harassment caused due to non-payment, alongwith interest thereon.

4. During the course of hearing the complainant droppe