ORDER :

V.B. GUPTA, PRESIDING MEMBER

1. Brief facts are that Petitioners/Complainants filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short ‘Act’) against Respondent/Opposite Party alleging that they had given a bid for allotment of shop No. 5, HIMUDA Complex Housing Phase I & II, Baddi, District Solan, H.P. on lease basis for Rs. 34,80,000 and deposited Rs. 3,56,000 as 10% of the bid amount. Respondent confirmed the bid vide its letter dated 14.3.2008. Thereafter petitioners deposited 15% amount of the bid amount. At the time of auction, Mr. Sood, the Chief Engineer of respondent’s authority had assured the petitioners that possession of shop in question would be handed over after development of the complex within few months. After the auction, respondent issued schedule of payment to the petitioners and imposed interest @ 12% per annum on the instalments w.e.f. 13.3.2008, whereas the complex was not completely developed by that time. Thereafter, respondent vide letter dated 26.7.2008, offered to hand over the possession of the shop in question to the petitioners. The petitioners accepted symbolic possession of the shop on 12.8.2008 under protest as ther