Facing Interrupted Set-Top Box Services? Thane Forum orders Reliance Digital to pay compensation of Rs 20,000

A Reliance Digital TV store has been held guilty for deficiency in services by the Thane District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The Forum held Big TV channel (Reliance Digital TV) liable for the services it provided and has been directed to compensate the consumer complainant, reported the New Indian Express.

In an order dating 12 October 2018, the President of the Forum SD Madake has ordered the company to pay a compensation of Rs 20,000 on grounds of mental agony with 10 per cent interest from March 2012 till realisation towards complainant Deepak Prabhu of Vishnu Nagar in Thane city.

In his complaint, he stated that he was deprived of facilities from 21 February 2012 due to signal loss. He had paid Rs 1,770 for a period of twelve months.

He alleged that the opposite party did not take cognisance of his grievance and demanded unreasonable charges of Rupees 175 for sending a mechanic to ascertain the defect.

The complainant claimed the Opposite Party for a refund of Rs 1,770 with interest at 18 per annum from the date of payment, i.e. 16 January 2012 and compensation of Rupees 1,00,000/- with cost.

The company contested the claim and resisted it in the Forum and submitted that present dispute has arisen out of alleged deficiency with DTS services which comes under the purview of disputes envisaged under the Section 7B of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

The company furthermore denies any cause of action because of signal loss, as they had nothing to do with set-top box installed at Complainant's house and alleged that if Complainant does not wish to continue its services, he will have to return all equipment provided while the Digital TV was installed.

The Forum, in its order observed that the amount of service for twelve months is Rupees 1,770. The forum found that the Opposition is legitimately expected to provide uninterrupted service and to compensate the grievance of the complainant during the said period.

The Forum furthermore ordered the company to pay legal expenses of Rs 5,000 to the complainant who had purchased the services from the company.