Mani Majra institute told to pay Rs 25 lakh to girl injured during training

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, has directed M/S Olive Greens Institute, Mani Majra, Chandigarh, to pay Rs 25 lakh as compensation to a 23-year-old girl who suffered injuries during training allegedly due to improper safety measures and insufficient training protocols at the institute.

The commission passed the order in an appeal filed by Anchal Jain of New Chandigarh through advocate, Ranjit Jain.

The appellant had sough modification of the order dated February 14, 2024, passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I, Chandigarh, whereby the institute was directed to refund Rs 13,500 and pay Rs 60,000 to the complainant as compensation for causing mental agony and physical harassment to her. The appellant claimed that she had qualified for an interview for Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2018. In order to prepare herself well for physical test, she joined the institute as a trainee candidate on September 21, 2018, on making payment of Rs 13,500.

Thereafter, she was taken to the training field for physical tasks where she was instructed to jump from a platform. Before jumping, she requested the instructor that the height of board is quite high and she has no basic training of jumping from such height, but to no avail. After jumping from the platform, she suffered serious injuries on her right ankle and was taken to Government Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, where steel plates and nails were inserted in her fractured ankle.

Refuting the allegations, the counsel of the institute claimed that she was not forced to climb up or jump down by anyone. The ground was prepared, the earth was loosened and mattresses were also put in place. She was also given a brufen tablet with her consent to prevent any pain.

After hearing of the arguments the commission observed that the loss of this opportunity, coupled with the pain and suffering endured, warrants fair and adequate compensation.

Apart from it, the parents of the appellant also have suffered emotional distress due to the nature and severity of their daughter’s injuries and have experienced significant emotional suffering. In view of this, the the compensation to the tune of Rs 50,000 awarded by the District Commission is on the lower side.

The institute is directed to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation on account of emotional distress, including anxiety and Rs 20 lakh, as compensation for her physical injuries, medical expenses and loss of future career prospects.

The commission has also directed the institute to reimburse to the appellant and complainant all medical expenses incurred by her due to the injury, including future medical treatment if necessary, and to pay Rs 50,000 as cost of litigation to the institute is further directed to refund Rs 13,500 paid by her as fee towards the training, along with interest @9% per annum.

Told to jump from a platform

• Anchal Jain of New Chandigarh had qualified for Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam and joined the M/S Olive Greens Institute, Mani Majra, Chandigarh, to get coaching for the interview. She made a payment of Rs 13,500.
• She was taken to the training field for physical tasks where she was instructed to jump from a platform. Before jumping, she requested the instructor that the height of the board is high and she has no basic training of jumping from such height, but to no avail.
• After jumping from the platform, she sustained serious injuries on her right ankle and was taken to the GMSH-16, Chandigarh, where steel plates and nails were inserted into her fractured ankle.