17-year-old wins case against Panchkula coaching centre

The district consumer disputes redressal forum, Panchkula, has fined AK Vidyamandir of Rs 15,000 and asked it to return a student’s fee amounting to over Rs 52,000 as the coaching institute closed down during the 2-year course the student had paid full fee for.

The district consumer disputes redressal forum, Panchkula, has fined AK Vidyamandir of Rs 15,000 and asked it to return a student’s fee amounting to over Rs 52,000 as the coaching institute closed down during the 2-year course the student had paid full fee for.

Rishabh Tayal, 17, resident of Sector 20, Panchkula, took admission at the elite two-year integrated coaching-cum-school programme for the joint entrance examination (JEE) in AK Vidyamandir in March, 2014, and deposited Rs 1.05 lakh.

He attended classes upto April, 2015.

Tayal further submitted that AK Vidyamandir closed the institution in June this year.

Seeking refund of his entire fee, he added that due to closure of the institution, his career had been spoilt.

He claimed he requested the refund but his requests were never entertained.

AK Vidyamandir, the teaching institute, never appeared before the consumer forum to rebut the contentions of the complainant.

The forum under president Dharampal and members, Anita Kapoor and SP Attri, observed, “The non-appearance of AK Vidyamandir despite notices show they have nothing to say in their defence or against allegations made by the complainant.

Therefore, the assertions made by the complainant go unrebutted and uncontroverted.”

The court went on to say, “From the material available on the case it is very well established that AK Vidyamandir institute didn’t suffer any financial loss.

As the complaint is bonafide the complainant is entitled for the refund of the amount deposited by him for the year he had not attended the insititue.”

The court ordered for Rs 15,000 fine and refund of Rs 52,700, fee for one year, at 9% interest.