J&K SCPC dismiss Jet Airways appeal

Srinagar, Dec 13: Dismissing the appeal of Jet Airways, The Jammu and Kashmir State Consumer Protection Commission (SCPC) has directed it to pay Rs 5,000 to Vice-chancellor of Kashmir University Professor Abdul Wahid.

The SCPC charged the Airways with gross negligence towards Prof Wahid, who had suffered emotionally and mentally after he was refused permission to travel on a confirmed ticket from Jammu to Srinagar in March last year.

The Division Bench of the Commission, headed Justice G D Sharma and Ms Rifat Aijaz, after hearing the arguments and examining the documents, imposed fine of Rs 5,000 on the Airways.

They said the commission find the Airways guilty of guilty of not providing air travel service to Prof Wahid, a bona-fide consumer.

It further said the reckless and humiliating accusations have been made in the pleadings by the Airways in its appeal against the integrity and conduct of Prof Wahid which cannot be approved.

Prof Wahid had confirmed Jet Airways ticket from Jammu to Srinagar for March 11, 2006 However, Prof Wahid, after reaching the airport an hour before the scheduled flight, was informed there was no seat for him in the plane.

Senior officers, when approached by Prof Wahid, also humiliated him and said there was no seat for him. Prof Wahid, who later travelled in Indian Airlines to Srinagar, filed a case against the Airways accusing it of causing humiliation. He further said he could not attend a number of meetings.

However, the Airways denied the allegations of Prof Wahid and said that he reported when all the checking formalities were closed.

The commission deciding the case in favour of Prof Wahid said the Airways has failed to produce any evidence though many opportunities were granted by the Forum.

UNI