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Judgment
Dinesh Singh, Presiding Member
Heard learned counsel present.
Perused the material on record.
The District Forum vide its Orders dated 26.02.2015 and dated 12.03.2015 had allowed the complaints.
The State Commission vide its Orders (02 nos.) dated 15.01.2016 had dismissed the appeals on limitation.
The instant revision petitions have been filed under section 21(b) of the Act 1986 against the said Orders (02 nos.) dated 15.01.2016 passed in F.A. No. 905 of 2015 and F.A. No. 906 of 2015 by the State Commission.
Perusal of the State Commission's impugned Orders (02 nos.) dated 15.01.2016, wherein it has examined the preliminary issue of limitation, makes it evident that sufficient cause to condone the delay in filing the appeals before the State Commission was not forthcoming.
However, having regard to the facts and specificities of the case, the bench is of the considered view that the first appeals no. 905 of 2015 and no. 906 of 2015 before the State Commission, arising from the Orders dated 26.02.2015 and dated 12.03.2015 of the District Forum, should, as far as (lawfully) feasible, be comprehensively and holistically examined on merit, on facts and law, with the affording of the due opportunity to all parties, with the delay being condoned subject to just and appropriate cost.
Again having regard to the facts and specificities of the case, cost of Rs.1,50,000/-, out of which Rs.50,000/- to be paid to the complainant - Smt. Dolly Rani Bag in complaint case no. 360 of 2013, Rs. 50,000/- to be paid to the complainant no. 1 - Smt. Chanchala Bag in complaint case no. 361 of 2015 and Rs.50,000/- to be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the State Commission, appears to be just and appropriate.
Accordingly, the delay in filing the F.A. No. 905 of 2015 and the F.A. No. 906 of 2015 before the State Commission is condoned, subject to cost of Rs.1,50,000/- to be paid by the revision petitioners herein in the two revision petitions, out of which Rs.50,000/- shall be paid to the complainant - Smt. Dolly Rani Bag in complaint case no. 360 of 2013, Rs. 50,000/- shall be paid to the complainant no. 1 - Smt. Chanchala Bag in complaint case no. 361 of 2015 and Rs.50,000/- shall be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the State Commission, within a period of four weeks from today.
If the stipulated cost of Rs. 1,50,000/- is not paid as directed within the stipulated period of four weeks from today, the revision petitions shall be treated as dismissed and the State Commission's Orders (02 nos.) dated 15.01.2016 shall sustain.
The State Commission is requested to adjudicate the two appeals before it on merit as per the law.
The bench has consciously refrained from entering into the consumer dispute, or making any critique of the facts and specificities of the case, or recording any observations or comments etc., since the first appeals have as yet to be adjudicated on merit by the State Commission and the bench does not in any manner want to colour the vision of the State Commission.
All parties are directed to appear before the State Commission on 19.03.2020.
The Registry is directed to send a copy of this Order to the State Commission within seven days.
'Dasti', in addition, to facilitate timely compliance.