Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 11: A consumer commission in Maharashtra has directed veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee to refund Rs 3 lac to a retired government doctor after holding her guilty of deficiency in service for failing to attend a medical college reunion in Goa despite accepting the agreed appearance fee and availing the travel and accommodation arranged for her.
A bench comprising President Shilpa S Dolharkar and members Prerana Lonkar and Kavita A Chavan also awarded the complainant Rs 1 lac as compensation for mental agony and physical harassment, along with Rs 25,000 towards litigation costs.
"After accepting full payment, availing all facilities and still failing to attend the program, Opponent No.1 (Moushumi Chatterjee) definitely showed deficiency in service because it is act of omission as per definition of deficiency," the commission said in its order dated Jun 30.
The complaint was filed by a retired government medical officer who had organised a reunion for her medical college batchmates in Goa and wanted to make the event memorable by inviting the actor.
According to the complaint, Chatterjee accepted the invitation through email and agreed to attend the programme for an appearance fee of Rs 3 lac. A coordinator was also to receive Rs 50,000 for arranging the event.
The complainant stated that she transferred Rs 2 lac in advance through RTGS, while the remaining Rs 1 lac was to be paid in cash upon the actor's arrival. She also paid for Chatterjee's flights, hotel accommodation and other travel-related expenses.
The complaint alleged that Chatterjee arrived in Goa on Nov 17, 2023, but did not attend the reunion and left the following day without appearing at the venue.
Despite repeated emails seeking a refund of the appearance fee, the complainant alleged that the amount was never returned, prompting her to approach the consumer commission.
As the opposite parties failed to submit their written statements within the stipulated period, the commission proceeded with the matter without considering their written defence.
During the proceedings, counsel representing Chatterjee argued that the actor had laid down certain conditions before accepting the invitation and that the complainant had failed to fulfil them.
However, the commission observed that although some conditions, including the request for business-class air travel instead of economy class, had not been met, the actor was fully aware of the arrangements before travelling to Goa.
It held that if Chatterjee was unwilling to attend the programme because of the alleged breach of conditions, she should have declined the invitation before travelling, thereby giving the organisers an opportunity to make alternative arrangements.
"The event which was arranged by the complainant is the get-together of all her batchmates. They were going to meet each other after a long period. Some were coming from abroad therefore wanted to make this moment memorable, and for this reason they all decided to invite Opponent No.1. But Opponent No.1 availed all facilities like air tickets, hotel bookings and did not turn up at the venue," the commission observed.
The commission further noted that despite repeated requests, Chatterjee failed to refund the appearance fee, causing financial loss and mental distress to the complainant.
Accordingly, the commission directed the actor to refund Rs 3 lac, pay Rs 1 lac as compensation for mental and physical harassment, and Rs 25,000 towards litigation expenses.