A consumer’s court offers solace to thousands of complainants seeking compensations from fraudster service providers in Kashmir. But the understaffed forum, after raising hopes, is falling prey to slow judicial set-up that discourages people from fighting for their rights. Saima Bhat reports

Consumer-Court-Kashmir

Rushing towards a stone building in the old Secretariat, Manzoor Ahmad Ahangar was late by 30 minutes for the hearing of his case in Divisional Consumer Protection Forum (DCPF), Srinagar.

But, once he reached the courtroom, only two other persons were waiting for the proceedings, which were yet to start. He had a sigh of relief and murmured, “My money didn’t go waste that I spend to reach here.”

Ahangar, in his late forties, a blacksmith by profession was doing his small scale business in Ganderbal, where he had eight people working for him. But, in the start of 2013, he thought of expanding his business and got a loan of Cash Credit (CC) for Rs 5 lakhs from J&K bank.

Till December 2013, everything was going smoothly when Ahangar’s shop got robbed.

“They (robbers) took everything. Every single piece of iron from my shop including machines worth around Rs 7 lakh,” says Ahangar. “They (robbers) ruined me in a single go.”

Soon after, Ahangar took a job, which earned him Rs 5000 a month, to support his family. Initially, he paid bank instalments out of his savings, but as his savings started drying up, he went to a local court for help. Finally, he filed a case against both the insurance company and the bank in DCPF.

Consumer Court is the special purpose court that deals with cases regarding consumer disputes and grievances. They are readily accessible forums to settle disputes speedily without entailing any cost that gives consumers a safeguard against exploitation and unfair trade practices.

Such courts are judiciary setups by the government to protect the consumer rights, who can seek compensation, refund or replacement of defected products. The Jammu and Kashmir Consumer Protection Act, 1987, came into practice in 1989.

“I am an illiterate person. I am not aware of banking procedures or technicalities. But what I know is that it is mandatory for a bank to insure the loan money against theft, fire and burglary. But now, despite police reports confirming that my shop was robbed, the insurance company (Bajaj Allianz) is not paying me anything. Whereas the bank is asking for repayment of its loan amount,”

Ahangar consulted a lawyer who advised him to file a complaint in Consumer’s Court. But three months and four hearings later, Ahangar’s case is yet to reach any conclusion.

Jeema Bashir, (judge) presiding officer at Divisional Consumer Protection Forum says, “It is a normal procedure where after the filing of a complaint by a customer, the panel has to wait for a month for the reply from other party. In this particular case reply from the Bank and finance company is still awaited.”

Other than that, most of the cases get delayed because, sometimes, customers are unable to produce any witness’.

Consumer’s Court only gives a verdict in favour of consumers if they have proof of exploitation, i.e., bills or other documents. If a consumer does not have the proper documents required for filing a case, then it would be very difficult for the consumer to win or even file a case.

And as per the law, an alleged wrongdoer trader is asked to come to the court within 30 days. Another 15 days are given if he/she does not show up, says Jeema, who heads the panel of three persons – one judge and two members – who form the jury. This court’s main function is to maintain fair practices by the sellers towards consumers.

Only documents are presented by both parties. Advocates are not needed and verbal discussion is only done in cases where there is a requirement of witnesses, says Jeema.

As soon as the proceedings start for the day, Ahangar’s case was taken up and he was asked to wait for 30 more days, as the notice was served to insurance company but they had not turned up. Ahangar bows down his head in agreement and leaves with tears in his eyes.

There is one Divisional Consumer Protection Forum (DCPF) in every district of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh divisions, with an authority to settle disputes up to Rs 10 lakh.  And cases above Rs 10 lakh are settled at State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission – which has offices in Srinagar and Jammu.

At present, there are 12,000 cases registered in different district forums, which include cases related to recent flood, pending insurance claims, cases against telecom companies, against extra money charged by airlines, against banks and faulty warranty services of electronic goods etc. “About 80 cases are heard every day in DCPF Srinagar. And most of the cases are related to recent floods and insurance disputes,” says Jeema.

A few miles away in Karan Nagar where State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) is located, complaints involving cases worth more than Rs 10 lakh are entertained.

At SCDRC, around 7000 claims have been settled so far. Only 478 cases are pending for final decision, says Justice (Rtd) B A Kirmani, who heads the panel of this forum. “Around 60 per cent of the settled cases are related to insurance claims,” says Kirmani. “Despite being understaffed, our state has the lowest rate of pendency compared to the other state.”

Kiramani says that one of the major achievements of SCDRC is the settlement of the infamous Hajj scandal involving a private travel company named Hajeej Group. “Hajeej had duped aspiring pilgrims worth Rs 4.50 crores. We have so far reimbursed around 67 per cent of the amount to the victims,” claims Kirmani. “The rest of the amount will soon be distributed among victims as we have already sold off Hajeej properties and assets for the purpose,” says Kirmani.

In another case still pending with SCDRC, Maknoona Iqbal from Kupwara has filed a complaint against Srinagar based SK Diagnostic Center seeking compensation worth Rs 34 lakh.

“When I was expecting my child, my fetus was diagnosed having Hydronephrosis (water inside the kidney which leads to distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces, usually caused by obstruction of the free flow of urine from the kidney) and doctors advised me to terminate the baby,” says Maknoona. “But I repeated USG at SK Diagnostics who advised me to continue with my pregnancy as the fetus is normal as per their diagnosis. I did the same as it was a male child.”

But as soon as Maknoona gave birth, he was diagnosed having the same problem, as was diagnosed before his birth. “We went to AIMS in Delhi for his treatment a number of times where he went through surgery as well. But we are not getting any positive results. My child is suffering and I can’t leave him alone at home. I was working in a government organization, where I am on leave without salary. I don’t have any option left,” she says.

Maknoona consulted a lawyer who advised her to file a formal case against the diagnostic centre at SCDRC.

“I am seeking Rs 34 lakh as compensation from SK Diagnostic Centre – 24 lakh that I spent on my child in Delhi and 10 lakh for the period I stayed absent from my job without pay,” says Maknoona.

But Maknoona case is listed for next month as the accused has not responded to the forums notices.

Kiramai says that the forum successfully solved another complicated case involving a cancer-stricken retired teacher. The teacher was duped for Rs 16 lakh by his nephew who used his forged signatures to withdraw the said sum. “He (nephew) got Rs 16 lakh transferred to his account by means of cheques, demand drafts etc using his uncle’s scanned signature,” says Kirmani.

“It was a case of cybercrime and we had to make amendments in the existing laws so that the money is returned to this ailing teacher. It took us a year to solve the case and finally, that verdict was approved by the High Court. It later became law,” says Kirmani.

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