A parent’s fight for his dues has finally bore fruit after a year. The consumer forum recently passed an order in favour of Balewadi-resident Devrat Mittal asking Banyan Tree International School to repay an amount of Rs21,400 with 9% interest, which Mittal had paid as admission fees.
The order was passed by additional district consumer grievances redressal forum president Anjali Deshmukh and member SK Pacharne, who directed the school to repay the amount as the parent had withdrawn admission from school after eight days. The forum has also asked the school to pay Rs5,000 compensation.
The incident came to light, when Mittal, a resident of Shroff Soleno society near Balewadi Sports Complex in Mhalunge had filed a suit against the school on October 6, 2012. Mittal’s plaint stated that he had been asked to pay Rs22,800 as term fees for first and second term. Apart from that, he was asked to pay admission fee of Rs5,000 and security deposit of Rs10,000. However, as he needed admission only for the second term, he paid Rs11,400 and other fees totaling to Rs26,600.
“Later, I came to know that school lacks amenities, proper infrastructure and no activities were planned. So, I withdrew my son’s name from school on September 28, 2012. I filed an application to get my amount back but the school authorities said they cannot repay the amount. They said, I had just paid one-term fee due to which they cannot refund my security deposit amount. As my son had not enjoyed the school amenities, we were entitled to the refund,” stated complainant’s plaint.
The lawyer representing the school argued, “Mittal had informed the school that after three months they planned to shift abroad due to which they had paid only fees for one term. Mittal is falsely implicating the school for no proper amenities and infrastructure as before taking admission, they had checked all the amenities and were aware about it.”
The forum observed, “Mittal has not violated any norms and had withdrawn his son’s name from the school. There was a three-day leave and his ward had not enjoyed any benefits of teaching. It appears to be a deficiency in service and inappropriate business done by school.”
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