Mr. Justice S.C. Datta, President—The appellant appears in person. The respondents are represented by their Counsel. By the impugned judgment dated 18.2.1998, the Forum dismissed the complaint on the ground that the complainant cannot be regarded as a consumer.

2. What happened in this case is that the complainant with the intention of purchasing shares of Global Trust Bank Ltd. drew a cheque for the sum of Rs. 5,000/- in favour of Vaisya Bank, N.S. Road Branch for payment to the Global Trust as the price of shares. He having not received the shares, approached the Forum for a direction upon the Global Trust Bank Ltd. and Vaisya Bank for issuing shares certificates alongwith Bonus, Right, Debenture. He has also prayed for payment of compensation of Rs. 10,000/- besides a direction upon Vaisya Bank to make refund of Rs. 5,000/- to him together with interest @ 18% (cumulative). The Forum dismissed the claim on the ground that the shares having not been allotted in the name of the complainant, he has not acquired the status of a consumer vis-a-vis the Company issuing the shares. So far this portion of the judgment is concerned we find no fault in it. The complainant who appears in