Srinagar, Mar 16, KDC: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Baramulla/Bandipora has directed Physics Wallah Private Limited and its authorised coordinator to refund the course fee and pay compensation to a Sopore resident after holding the company liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice in connection with a NEET coaching programme.
The order was passed by a bench comprising President Peerzada Qousar Hussain and Member Nyla Yaseen in a complaint filed by Irshad Rashid Dand, a resident of Al-Kausar Krankshivaan Colony in Sopore, Baramulla district.
According to the complaint, the petitioner had enrolled his son, Mohammad Abdullah, in the NEET 2027 targeted course titled “Pathshala 11th Batch Code ANTIMA” offered by Physics Wallah through its Pathshala centre in Sopore. The complainant paid an initial amount of ₹5,000 on April 14, 2025 and later deposited ₹30,000 on April 25, 2025, taking the total course fee to ₹35,000.
The complainant alleged that despite depositing the prescribed fee and repeatedly approaching the institute, the student was not given access to the course. It was further submitted that the complainant personally approached the local coordinator of the institute seeking redressal of the grievance and also demanded refund of the deposited amount, but the request was not acted upon and only assurances were given.
The Commission noted that the opposite parties failed to appear before it or submit any response despite service of notice, following which ex-parte proceedings were initiated against them. The complainant produced evidence through affidavits of witnesses and documents relating to payment of the course fee and enrollment of the student.
After examining the material placed on record, the Commission observed that the complainant had enrolled his son for the NEET preparation course and deposited ₹35,000 as the prescribed fee. However, despite receiving the amount, the opposite parties failed to provide access to the course, which caused academic loss to the student and mental agony to the complainant’s family. The Commission held that the institute was under a bounden duty to provide access to the course after receiving the fee and refusal to do so clearly amounted to deficiency in service.
The Commission further observed that retention of fees without rendering the promised services was impermissible and amounted to an unfair trade practice.
“The OPs are directed to refund the entire amount of Rs. 35,000/- (Thirty-five thousand) paid by the complainant. The OPs are further directed to pay an amount of Rs. 50,000 (Fifty Thousand) to the complainant as compensation for causing academic loss to the complainant’s son. The OPs are further directed to pay an amount of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten thousand) as litigation charges,” the Commission ordered while allowing the complaint.
The Commission further directed that the entire awarded amount shall be paid to the complainant within a period of four weeks from the date of the order, failing which the amount will carry interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from the date of the order till its realization. (KDC)
