In India, it is a well-known fact that many times justice gets delayed beyond acceptable period. Sometimes it happens because of slow procedures and sometimes because of some other reason. Here the reason is intentional delay by Jet Lite (India) Ltd.
Jet Lite India Ltd, previously known as Sahara Airlines delayed the refund to a consumer intentionally. This did not solve the purpose of delay as consumer forum directed it to pay fourteen thousand rupees to the complainant.
The trouble began eight years ago when Mr. P. K. Kohli resident of Haryana booked a ticket with Jet Lite for his son. His son that time was studying in Pune, he sent the ticket via post. Son did not receive the ticket. The ticket was lost. Mr. Kohli contacted relevant authorities of Sahara Airlines/ Jet Lite(India) informing them about the missing ticket. Airline advised him to file a report to the police station for the blacklisting of ticket so that the ticket can be refunded. Mr. Kohli did so.
After reporting to the police, he wrote to the airline for refund. The refund never got materialized and here after eight years of waiting period Mr. Kohli was expecting justice from consumer forum. As Jet Lite (India) Ltd, clearly and unnecessarily dragged the issue for so long, it had to bear the amount of trouble and difficulty it caused Mr. Kohli.
With all the troubles and hope for justice, Mr. Kohli reached New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum directed Jet Lite (India) Ltd to refund Rs 4,092 as the amount of the ticket and Rs 5,000 as litigation charges and to pay P K Kohli Rs 5,000 as compensation for the harassment.
The bench presided by C K Chaturvedi said that instead of acting gracefully and returning the amount of ticket to Mr. Kohli, Opponent dragged the issue for eight years acting 'penny wise and pound foolish'.
As now Jet Lite (India) Ltd, previously Sahara Airlines, has been ordered by a consumer forum to pay fourteen thousand which could have been mere four thousand and ninety two to a customer for failing to reimburse the cost of a missing ticket and dragging on the matter for eight years.
Jet Lite seem to ignore/ forget purposely its own policy of refund in such cases within 10 days. The airlines engaged a lawyer, fought the case instead of fulfilling its duty. With such scenarios and news coming up it will be difficult for the consumers to count on these airlines. When they cannot stick to their own policies, which they use as an attraction to the customers telling them that their experience with them will be comfortable and convenient then why consumers will rely on them.
Airlines are suppose to make our journey quick and comfortable. The term 'Quick' sounds ironic with Jet Lite airlines as it took eight years for a consumer to get his money reimburse that too after huge harassment and difficulties. Hopefully the order of court will put some sense in to the regulating heads of airlines making them stick to their policies and promises.
Consumer Forum : Akosha is an online consumer complaints resolve platform in India. Where you can file your complaints and get resolve quickly. Currently we are working with more than 300 brands in India. If you want to know more about Akosha then please visit our website.
