Baramulla, May 13: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Baramulla/Bandipora, has directed the Postal Department to pay ₹1.20 lakh as compensation to a Baramulla-based woman entrepreneur after a parcel containing three Pashmina shawls went missing during transit.
The complaint was filed by Mehvish Ashraf, proprietor of M/S Olive Couture and resident of Delina, Baramulla, against several postal authorities including Senior Superintendents and Post Masters of Baramulla, Srinagar and Jammu divisions.
According to the complaint, the entrepreneur had booked a parcel containing three Pashmina shawls worth ₹60,000 for delivery to a customer. However, the parcel was never delivered and was later reported lost during transit.
The complainant alleged that despite repeated approaches to postal authorities, neither the parcel was traced nor was any relief provided, forcing her to approach the Consumer Commission seeking compensation for the loss and mental agony caused by the incident.
The Postal Department, in its response, argued that the sender had not disclosed the contents of the parcel or insured it at the time of booking. The department also cited provisions of the Indian Post Office Act, claiming exemption from liability in such cases.
After examining the case, the Commission, while delivering the judgement, observed that the parcel had admittedly been entrusted to the postal authorities and was never delivered to the consignee. It also noted that postal records themselves reflected that the parcel had been “lost.”
Referring to a National Consumer Commission ruling, the Commission held that failure to deliver articles sent through paid postal services amounts to “deficiency in service.”
Holding the postal authorities negligent in handling the consignment, the Commission directed them to reimburse ₹60,000 towards the value of the lost Pashmina shawls. Besides this, it also awarded ₹50,000 for mental agony and harassment and ₹10,000 as litigation expenses.
The Commission ordered that the awarded amount be paid within 30 days, failing which the entire sum would carry an interest of six percent per annum. (KDC)
