E. Padmanabhan, President This appeal is directed against the order of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Pondicherry dated 18th November 1998 made in Complaint No. 59 of 1998.

2. After contest, the District Forum allowed the complaint and directed the opposite parties jointly and severally to pay the sum of Rs. 25,000/- towards compensation to the complainants 1 to 5 with interest and Rs. 2,500/- towards cost of the proceedings. The District Forum also directed that out of the sum of Rs. 25,000/- awarded each complainant will be entitled to Rs. 5,000/- and so also each complainant will be entitled to Rs. 500/- out of Rs. 2,500/- awarded as costs. Being aggrieved the present appeal has been preferred.

3. For convenience, the parties, to this appeal will be referred as arrayed before the District Forum.

4. Heard Mr. C.S. Narasimhan, learned counsel appearing for the appellants and Mr. T. Murugesan, learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

5. The second respondent in the appeal died pending the appeal and a memo had been filed. by respondents 1, 3, and A5 setting about that the second respondent died on 16-9-1997 as a spinster leaving behind the other respondents