Ranga Reddy: Consumer panel asks Byju’s to pay ₹71K for not holding online classes

Hyderabad: Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Byju’s to refund Rs 56,000 with 9% interest and pay Rs 15,000 for causing inconvenience to a student by providing recorded video lessons instead of promised live online classes.

Complaint by Parent

The case was filed by B. Meghya, a resident of Srinagar Ramky Discovery City, who enrolled her son, Samarth, for Byju’s Class 8, 9, and 10 foundation course on October 19, 2023.

The three-year course fee was Rs 1.55 lakh, of which Rs 56,000 was paid through a credit card, while the remaining amount was to be paid through EMIs.

Delay and lack of clarity

According to the complainant, classes did not begin even weeks after enrollment. Despite repeated phone calls and emails to the company, no clear response was received. Course details were shared only on November 25, more than a month later.

Recorded content passed off as live classes

The complainant alleged that after initially promising live online classes and a demo session, Byju’s instead provided recorded video lessons, misleading parents into believing they were live sessions.

Additional issues

Other issues cited included a delay in the delivery of the learning tablet and failure to revise the EMI tenure to 24 months as promised. Frustrated by the lack of response and service deficiencies, the complainant approached the Consumer Commission.

Commission’s Order

After examining the case, the Ranga Reddy District Consumer Commission held Byju’s responsible for the deficiency in service. It ordered the company to refund Rs 56,000 with 9% interest and pay Rs 15,000 as compensation to the complainant, within 45 days.

The ruling reinforces consumer rights in the rapidly expanding online education sector, particularly regarding transparency and fulfillment of promises made to students and parents.