ORDER

K.C. Gupta, President - This appeal has been directed by opposite party No. 2 against order dated 5.4.2002 passed by Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Bhiwani (hereinafter to be referred as District Consumer Forum), vide which complaint of Rattan Lal respondent No. 1 was accepted and the appellant as well as respondent No. 2 M/s. Om Gas Service (OP No. 1) and OP No. 3 (Deputy Divisional Manager (Gas), Bharat Petroleum Corporation ( as mentioned in the complaint) were directed to pay compensation of Rs. 22,500 along with costs of Rs. 500 within two months from the date of order i.e. 5.4.2002, failing which compensation amount would carry interest @ 12% p.a. from the date of default till payment.

2. Briefly stated the facts are that Sh.Rattan Lal respondent No. 1 (complainant) is resident of Bhiwani. He got gas connection from Om Gas Service (respondent No. 2) and the said gas agency was taken by respondent No. 2 from the appellant as well as OP No. 3. His consumer No. was OM-127. He got issued gas cylinder on 6.11.1997 after making payment of the price of the same and started using the gas cylinder on the same day.

3. It was next averred that on 7.11.1997 Sh. Rattan Lal went to