Consumer forum orders travel company to pay Rs 2.85 lakh to complainant

The consumer forum, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, directed Thomas Cook to refund Rs 2.85 lakh to the complainant within a month.

2 min readChandigarhAug 20, 2017 04:06 AM IST

Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Thomas Cook, Administrative Regional Tribunal, Chandigarh news, Indian Express news

(Representational Image)

THE DISTRICT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum II has directed Thomas Cook, a travel company, to refund Rs 2.85 lakh for failing to arrange visa for a Panchkula-based family. The complainant, Rajesh Datta, a resident of Sector 4 in Panchkula, had booked a tour of Europe for 15 days and 14 nights from June 20, 2015, for Rs 8.23 lakh from Thomas Cook and according to the terms and conditions, the package was for all passengers, including wife, son and daughter of the complainant and it was inclusive of visa, air fare, stay, meals, sightseeing, etc.

Datta had paid Rs 4 lakh to Thomas Cook and thereafter, the booking confirmation was issued to the complainants on May 18, 2015. Then, on June 13, the company demanded the balance of Rs 4.23 lakh and a mail from Thomas Cook to Datta stated that till June 13, the UK visa was ready but not the Schengen Visa. The complainant, however, deposited the balance amount of Rs 4.23 lakh.

Meanwhile, just three days prior to the tour slated to begin on June 17, 2015, the complainant received information that their Schengen Visa had been rejected by the Italian embassy because “information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of intended stay were not reliable”.

According to the complaint, the Embassy of Italy, while rejecting the applications of the complainants for visa, had given an option to appeal to the Administrative Regional Tribunal (TAR) of Lazio within 60 days from the notification of refusal. But Thomas Cook, which was bound to arrange visa for the Dattas, did not take any step to file an appeal before TAR against the orders of refusal.

The complainant, however, requested the company for a refund of the amount, whereupon the latter refunded Rs 5.39 lakh after deducting Rs 2.85 lakh. The complainants made several requests to the company for a refund of the balance, but all in vain. Following this, the complainant moved the consumer forum. The consumer forum, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, directed Thomas Cook to refund Rs 2.85 lakh to the complainant within a month.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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