NEIGHBOURHOOD

Seven injured in road mishaps
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited (opposite party No. 1) to refund Rs 97,646 paid by a Chandigarh-based industrialist towards the repair of a car.

The district forum, comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota, while dismissing the complaint against M/s Krishna Auto Sales (opposite party No. 2) directed the respondent to pay Rs 25,000 in compensation, besides Rs 10,000 towards costs of litigation.

The complainant, Harjit Singh, averred that he had insured his Skoda Octavia with opposite party No.1 and his vehicle stalled when he was caught in heavy rain while going towards Mohali from Chandigarh.

The car was taken to the opposite party No. 2 on July 19 and the claim was also lodged with the opposite party No. 1 on its toll-free number. Manoj Saxena was appointed as an independent surveyor to assess the loss and inspected the car in the agency.

After dismantling the engine, the opposite party No. 2 again informed the surveyor and gave an estimate of Rs 1,06,908 for its repair.

It was also pointed out that the AC and the radio of the car were not working. It was further stated that after the vehicle was repaired by opposite party No. 2, he paid Rs 94,294 on August 11 and Rs 3,352 on August 19. However, he received a letter from opposite party No. 1 rejecting his claim on the pretext that the damage to the engine could not be considered in view of condition No. 4 of the policy contract.

The counsel for the opposite party No. 1 pleaded that the damage to the vehicle had occurred on account of complainant’s negligence as he tried to start the car on a waterlogged road. As such, he failed to take reasonable care and caution to protect his car.

It further pleaded that the opposite party No. 1 appointed an IRDA-approved surveyor and upon the processing of the claim, it observed that the loss was not payable under the insurance perils of the policy.

The counsel for the opposite party No. 2 pleaded that there was no allegation against it and provided the best possible service to the complainant by carrying out the repair work to the complainant’s satisfaction.

It was further pleaded that the complaint against the opposite party No. 2 was illegal, without any cause and, therefore, frivolous and vexatious. — TNS

Chandigarh, December 28
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed Greenview Land and Buildercon Limited to refund Rs 7,32,500 to a Kanpur resident, along with 9 per cent interest per annum, from the date of respective deposits till the actual payment.

The district forum comprising president Lakshman Sharma and members Madhu Mutneja and Jaswinder Singh Sidhu observed, “The opposite parties are deficient in service as they did not take necessary permission before starting the project and further forfeited the amount of the complainant.

Further, the opposite parties sold the flat of the complainant without any notice to the complainant and his consent to some another prospective buyer.”

The complainant, Arun Kumar Chhabra, submitted that he booked a flat with the opposite party on December 15, 2005, in the proposed Greenview Apartments, Zirakpur. He paid Rs 50,000 at the time of booking and as per terms of the allotment letter dated January 20, 2006, the total price of the flat was fixed at Rs 22,75,000. He further pleaded that he had already paid a sum of Rs 7,32,500, but the construction of the allotted flat had not started at all. When he approached the opposite party, he was told that permission for pollution NOC, electricity and other requisite formalities were awaited. Later on, he came to know that his flat had already been sold to someone else without any notice and without his consent.

Thereafter, he sought refund of his entire amount but the opposite party flatly refused to refund the same.

The counsel for the opposite party pleaded that after making the admitted payments, the complainant stopped paying any further instalment. He said as per the terms and conditions of the allotment, in case, the purchaser failed to pay the instalment with interest after three months, the promoter should forfeit the total money deposited by the purchaser without any further notice and the allotment should stand cancelled with no lien on the apartment.

It was asserted that the opposite party was suffering huge losses due to recession in the real estate market and allegation regarding non-obtaining of required permissions had been categorically denied. The opposite party further offered the complainant possession of the flat subject to clearing the outstanding balance amount along with interest of 24 per cent per annum within 10 days but he failed to make the payment.

As the opposite party was to pay heavy interest to the bank, the plot of the complainant was sold to some other prospective buyer to clear the debt.

The forum also directed the respondents to pay Rs 7,000 to the complainant as costs of litigation.

The amount is to be paid within 30 days from the date of receipt of its certified copy, failing which they would be liable to refund Rs 7,32,500 to the complainant, along with penal interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from the date of respective deposits till its realisation.

Panchkula, December 28
Motorcycle-borne youths snatched a gold chain from a resident of Sector 15 here this evening.

In her complaint, Sunita (55) said she was on her way home when at 7.30 pm two motorcycle-borne youths snatched her chain. She immediately informed her brother about the snatching who then informed the police.

Sector-15 chowki in charge Jagdish said one suspect was arrested, while they were on a lookout for the other accused.

In another case, a purse of a woman was snatched while she was entering her house in Sector 16 this afternoon. The purse contained a mobile handset, Rs 500 in cash and some important documents. A case was registered in this connection.

Panchkula, December 28
A team of the state vigilance bureau today arrested an official of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 28,000 from a principal of a private school at Barwala.

The accused has been identified as Dharampal, presently posted as assistant foreman at Barwala. He had demanded Rs 33,000 for changing the transfer located outside the school to improve power supply.

However, the deal was settled at Rs 28,000 and Dharampal had asked the principal to come to the Sector-15 powerhouse.

The vigilance had already laid the trap in the area and as soon as the principal handed over Rs 28,000 to Dharampal, the vigilance sleuths arrested him.

Chandigarh, December 28
SCD Government College, Ludhiana, overcame local outfits GGD SD College, Sector 32, in the only league match of ongoing inter-college softball competition for men(A-Division) played at PU ground here today.

SCD Government College. Ludhiana, outplayed GGDSD College, Chandigarh, lads 7-2. Jaspreet and Abhishek were the main run-getters after they scored two runs each. For the loosing side, Bhupinder and Ajit managed to reduce the margin after scoring one run each.

Chandigarh, December 28
Eight-year-old skater, Gurnoor Singh, has won 40 medals in various skating championships.

The skater started his sporting career at the age of three and won laurels in rink races and road skating race. He has big dreams of making it to the top priority list of sportspersons.

“My dream is to become a known sportsperson of the nation and after working hard I will achieve my aim. I practise everyday after finishing my homework,” said Gurnoor.

A student of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, has played several competitions in the tricity and wants to show his skills at an international-level after playing national-level tournaments.

“I have played many competitions and now want to represent the city in national games. I was told to wait for the appropriate age and now after turning eight, I can play in U-10 category,” said Gurnoor.

Gurnoor added, “I am undergoing a daily practice session under the guidance of my coach Harpreet Singh, a former international player. He guides me well in improving my speed on skating wheels.

I also get a full support from my family,” said Gurnoor.

On the other hand, his sister Gurpreet Kaur, who just made it to the national squad of 49th Roller Skating Championship aims big.

“I always wanted to excel in sports as my family has a sporting background. My brother is younger to me but has always been my inspiration. I wish he could excel in the field after winning more top honours,” said Gurpreet.

When asked to comment on the performance of players in skating, the proud father said, “I am very happy that my kids are excelling in sports and I wish they scale greater heights. Gurnoor puts in a lot of effort in the game. She is good in studies as well. Gurpreet is a good learner. I hope that both of them achieve what they want,” said Jaswant Singh.