Mr. Justice David Annoussamy, President—The opposite party appeals.

2. The facts of the case are as follows : The complainants booked the marriage hall belonging to the opposite party for two days from 4.12.1996 noon to 6.12.1996 noon and paid an amount of Rs. 16,001/- on 11.9.1996. The marriage had to be cancelled and the complainants informed the opposite party of the same and cancelled the reservation. After cancellation the complainants asked the opposite party to refund the amount of advance paid by him. Upon the refusal of the opposite party they approached the District Forum with the following prayers :

(1) to refund the entire amount of Rs. 16,001 /- due to the complainants with interest @ 24% interest per annum from 26.10.1996 till the actual date of payment of the entire amount;

(2) to pay a compensation of Rs. 10,000/- for suffering the hardship and mental agony.

3. The District Forum after holding that the printed entries in the receipt to the effect that the advance will not be refunded have to be ignored and after observing that the hall was booked after cancellation by some other party, directed the opposite party to refund the entire amount paid by complainants