Immigration consultancy to refund Rs 3.5 lakh for not fulfilling business visa promise

The state consumer disputes redressal forum, Chandigarh, held immigration consultant, Planet Bulls Consultants, deficient in services and directed to refund Rs 3.5 lakh paid by Pathankot-resident for facilitation of visa for Argentina.

The state consumer disputes redressal forum, Chandigarh, held immigration consultant, Planet Bulls Consultants, deficient in services and directed to refund Rs 3.5 lakh paid by Pathankot-resident for facilitation of visa for Argentina.

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The direction was issued while dismissing an appeal filed by Sanjeev Kumar. As per the directive issued here on Monday, the consultancy has been directed to pay Rs 10,000 as cost of litigation to the complainant.

Kumar, in his complaint before the consumer forum,, had said he had approached Planet Bulls Consultants for help in procuring a visa to travel to Argentina. He claimed he was asked to pay a sum of Rs 5 lakh and told that he would first be provided a three-month tourist visa which would later be converted into a business visa, including the amount of air tickets, immigration fee, PR status, business visa and hotel expenses, etc.

He also accused the consultants of issuing a receipt of only Rs 3.5 lakh though he had paid Rs 5 lakh and alleged that no facility was provided on reaching Argentina as promised by consultants forcing him to return back in eight days.

Consumer forum in its order, said, "A person who has paid a sum of Rs 3.5 lakh for tourist visa has definitely been promised something more. The cost of tourist visa can definitely not be Rs 3.5 lakh. We are of the considered opinion that unfair trade practice and deficiency in service is writ large on the consultants. A person who has come back after only eight days is definitely dissatisfied and disillusioned. Hence, we hold the consultants deficient in rendering proper service."