Thiru Justice A. Raman, President—The complainant has sent 5 money orders of which three were for Rs. 2,000/- each, one for Rs. 1,000/- and another for Rs. 500/-. He paid the commission therefor. But the amount due in the money order was not received by the payee. When complaints were made to the opposite parties, they did not choose to respond properly. Even after a lapse of 4 months from the date of money order, they did not care to find out the true position. Thus, there is deficiency in service on their part. Hence, the complainant filed a complaint for directing the opposite parties to refund the sum of Rs. 7,500/- along with money order commission paid by him and a sum of Rs. 50,000/- as compensation for mental agony and hardship with a cost of Rs. 1,000/-.

2. The opposite parties submitted that the complaint is not maintainable in view of the bar under Section 6 of the Indian Post Office Act. It is no doubt true that the money orders were booked at Kappalur Industrial Estate Post Office. There is no time limit fixed for payment of ordinary money order. Immediately on the complaint, an enquire note was issued by the 2nd opposite party. The money orders were sent to Madra