WEST BENGAL STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION
Ajeya Matilal, Presiding Member and Soma Bhattacharjee, Member
Nitai Dey – Complainant
versus
Prasen Nayak alias
Sri Prosenjit Nayak – Opp. Party
Complaint Case No.423 of 2017
Decided on 22.11.2023
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Section 17 [Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Section 47(1)] – Services – Real Estate – Direction for delivery of Possession of Flat – Complainant proved his case as there is deficiency in service on the part of the Opposite Party. The Complainant has cause of action to file his case and he is entitled to relief as prayed for – The case is allowed, on contest, against the Opposite Party, with litigation cost of Rs.1,00,000/- for his mental agony and harassment. The Opposite Party is directed to hand over the flat – Complaint allowed. [Paras 5 to 7].
Result: Complaint allowed.
ORDER
Ajeya Matilal, Presiding Member—
Ld. Advocate for the Complainant is present along with the Complainant. OP is absent.
2. Heard the submission of the Ld. Advocate for the Complainant.
3. This is a Consumer Complaint filed under section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 valued at Rs.35,20,000/-. The Complainant entered into an agreement dated 23.02.2015 for purchasing a flat situated at the 2nd floor at 17/6A, Biplabi Barin Ghosh Sarani, Kolkata – 700067 for consideration of Rs.35,20,000/-. The OP entered into an agreement for sale of a residential flat of 800 sq.ft. super built up area, more specifically mentioned in the 2nd schedule of the Agreement for Sale. The Agreement for Sale was notarised on 26.03.2015. It would appear from the Agreement for Sale dated 26.03.2015 at page 55 that the residential flat at the 2nd floor was measured with more or less of 800 sq.ft. super built up area including bedroom kitchens etc. The total consideration was Rs.35,20,000/-. As per the Agreement dated 26.03.2015 the committed date of delivery of possession of the flat was within 18 months from the date of agreement. The Complainant paid Rs.35,20,000/- through different cheques, bank drafts etc. Subsequently, the Opposite Party demanded Rs.5,00,000/- more for extra work. On 05.12.2015 the Opposite Party served a notice to the Complainant demanding Rs.5,00,000/- for extra work. Subsequently through his Advocate the Complainant informed the Opposite Party on 03.09.2016 intimating that apart from the consideration money they paid an extra amount of Rs.80,000/- for extra work. But the Opposite Party did not execute and register any deed of conveyance in spite of receipt of consideration money. So, the Complainant served an Advocate’s notice on 03.09.2016 on the Opposite Party. But the Opposite Party did not comply with the directions of the advocate’s notice. On 15.03.2017 the Central Bank of India issued a notice to the Complainant to deposit the original deed of conveyance. But the Complainant was unable to produce the same, because the Opposite Party did not execute the same.
4. Initially, the Opposite Party contested the case by filing a Written Version denying the material allegations of the complaint petition.
5. The Complainant filed his evidence on affidavit which was challenged by the Opposite Party putting questionnaire. The Complainant gave reply to such questionnaire. The Opposite Party adduced evidence on affidavit on 13.06.2019. The Opposite Party admitted in evidence, that he received Rs.36 lakhs paid by the Complainant. It appears from para 4 of the evidence on affidavit by the OP, that the said flat was of 800 sq. ft. super built up area as per agreement. It is alleged by the Opposite Party that the Complainant was occupying the flat measuring about 950 sq.ft. But there is no documentary evidence in this regard. But it appears from the agreement dated 26.03.2015 that the total super built up area was 800 sq. ft.
6. The OP filed evidence on affidavit. The complainant put questionnaire. OP filed reply.
Now points for consideration are:—
1. Whether the Complainant is a consumer?
2. Whether the Complainant has any cause of action to file the case?
3. Whether there is any deficiency in service?
4. Whether the Complainant is entitled to get relief as prayed for?
5. To what other relief or reliefs, if any, the complaint is entitled to?
Decisions with reasons:-
We perused the evidence on record adduced by the both sides along with the documents filed.
Annexure B includes money receipts for flat and documents regarding sanctioning of home loan by Central Bank of India in favour of the Complainant, Nitai Dey. The home loan was for Rs.20,00,000/- with a margin money of Rs.15,20,000/-. It appears from the evidence that after the expiry of stipulated period the Opposite Party did not deliver the possession of the flat in question to the Complainant. According to the Complainant the cause of action arose on the different
LAW POINTPocket Witness –Commission cannot take a decision upon the pocket witness submitted by the Complainant himself.
Consumers are entitled to relief for gross negligence in service delivery as per the Consumer Protection Act.
Deficiency in service – The facts and circumstances and the materials on record, more particularly, relying on the evidence of the complainant it is palpably clear that the opposite parties could not....
Commercial Purpose - Mere allegation, that the purchase of the said flat is for commercial purpose, cannot be the ground to reject the present consumer complaint.
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