Delhi Consumer forum sets aside District forum's order against Spice Jet Airlines, finds the complainant at fault

In a case involving deficiency of service by an airline company, the Delhi state consumer disputes redressal commission has come to its rescue by setting aside an order passed by the district forum. The district forum had found a deficiency of service on the part of the airline company and had ordered them to pay compensation to the flyer. D K Jain (complainant) alleged that he had booked two tickets with Spice Jet for Bangalore- New Delhi on 21st April 2010 and had reached an hour before the departure. However, on reaching the airport, he wasn't attended by the officials and the flight took off. As per the complainant, there was a deficiency of service on the part of the Airline Company. The complainant had prayed before the district forum that the Airline Company be ordered to refund the flight tickets worth Rs. 12,399 and also be made to pay the compensation for mental and physical torture caused to him. The District Forum had passed an order allowing the same. As per a statement given to the State Commission members, Mr. O P Gupta (judicial) and Mr. Anil Srivastava, the complainant accepted that he had reached the check-in counter 25 minutes before the take off when he was supposed to reach the same 30 minutes before. He also accepted the fact that though it was his mistake, he was well in time and the flight was still there. The State redressal commission took note of this statement and held that as the complainant did not reach the check-in counter in due time i.e. 30 minutes before the takeoff and therefore he cannot claim the advantage of his own wrong. The bench noted that he had missed the flight due to his own mistake and thereby the order of the District Forum was set aside.