Country Club Hospitality fined Rs 90k for not refunding membership fee to Hyderabad man

Hyderabad: Country Club Hospitality asked to pay Rs 90K to 82YO man for unfair practices

Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd has been fined Rs 90,000 for not refunding the membership fees to a senior citizen based in Hyderabad.

A complaint was filed at the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission by Dr. A V Ramana Rao (82), a resident of Baghlingampally under section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 against Big Bazaar and Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd

In 2018, when Rao went to Big Bazaar, he was requested to provide his name and contact number for a lucky draw. Later, Rao received a call stating that he won the lucky draw. He was instructed to visit Amrutha Castle opposite Telangana Secretariat to receive his gifts.

Rao and his wife were then instructed to call the Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd Executives to collect his gifts. However, according to Rao, the executives did not reveal the gifts and forced him to join them. Rao also stated that the executives informed him that the gifts would be revealed if he buys the membership.

The prize for the membership costing Rs 75,000 was paid in two installments.

Thereafter, Rao did not use the membership for any purpose and demanded a refund.

However, the opposite party did not respond properly

A notice under Registered Post on March 3,.2020 was sent through the complainant's counsel demanding that Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd refund the amount along with interest.

The notice was duly received by the opposite parties as per the postal acknowledgment dated March 7,.2020. Since then, there was no any reply from the opposite party, and the amount was also not returned.

Rao filed a complaint against both Big Bazaar and Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd.

However, Big Bazaar stated that they have not shared Rao's details with Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd. Big Bazaar also vehemently denied the allegations that their executive had asked for the mobile number of the complainant for a lucky draw and that the winner will be given some gifts.

Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd. too denied forcing Rao to buy the membership.

However, the court has found that there is a deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on the part of Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd.

Hence, the court directed the opposite party to refund an amount of Rs. 75,000 along with 9% from the date of receipt of the amount until its realization to Rao.

An amount of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) towards compensation and Rs. 5,000/- towards costs of the complaint shall also be paid to Rao within 45 days of the judgment.

The complaint against Big Bazaar has been dismissed as the court found no relation between them and Country Club Hospitality & Holidays Ltd.