Byju's allegedly buying phone numbers of kids, threatening parents: Child's panel
Earlier, the commission had summoned Byju's CEO Byju Raveendran, asking him to appear in person on December 23 over alleged malpractice of hard selling and misselling of its courses for students.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Tuesday said it came to know that edtech company Byju's is allegedly buying phone numbers of children and their parents, and threatening them that their future will be ruined if they don't buy their courses.
“We came to know how Byju's buying phone numbers of children and their parents, rigorously following them and threatening them that their future will be ruined. They are targeting first-generation learners. We will initiate action and if need be will make a report and write to the government,” news agency ANI quoted NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo as saying.
Earlier, the commission had summoned Byju's CEO Byju Raveendran, asking him to appear in person on December 23 over alleged malpractice of hard selling and misselling of its courses for students.
The panel took action based on a news report that the sales team of the company was indulging in malpractices to lure parents to buy their courses for their children.
"As the Commission has come across a news article wherein it has been pointed out that the sales team of BYJU'S is indulging in malpractices to lure parents to buy their courses for their children. lt has also been mentioned in the news report that some customers have also claimed that they were exploited and deceived, and had put their savings and futures in jeopardy," the NCPCR had said in a statement.
The NCPCR added that the news report further alleged that the edtech company had been actively tricking customers to enter into loan-based agreements for courses which may not be refunded if customers wished to do so.
"Under Section 14 of CPCR Act,2005, the Commission has all the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 and particular, in respect of the following matters- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; and (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents," it said.
(With inputs from agencies)
