Thiru Justice E.J. Bellie, President—Having suffered an award against it the 3 opposite parties have filed this appeal. The complainant M/s. Ensons Enterprises sent a parcel from Madras through speed post to be delivered to the consignee at New Delhi. The value of the consignment was Rs. 57,173.75. But the consignment was not delivered to the addressee. A letter was sent to the Postal Department about it. They wrote back saying that the matter was under consideration. Subsequently they sent a letter dated 24.11.1995 enclosing two cheques drawn on the Reserve Bank of India one for a sum of Rs. 940/- as double the postal charges incurred by the complainant and the other for Rs. 400/- as compensation. The complainant declined to receive these amounts and then he had filed the complaint for the said value of the consignment of Rs. 57,173.75 and also for compensation.

2. The opposite parties contended that the Post Man at New Delhi had committed theft of the consignment and they sent a sum of Rs. 940/- being the double of the post charges and an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 400/- to the complainant but he had returned it after a lapse of 6 months questioning the quantum of compensa