Delhi Consumer Commission Awards Rs 64,000 After Barat Bus Breaks Down Midway

In a recent ruling, the Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held a transport service provider liable for deficiency in service after a bus hired for a wedding procession broke down midway, causing major delays and distress to the groom’s family.

The Commission, comprising President Divya Jyoti Jaipuriar and Member Rashmi Bansal, directed the operator to refund ₹14,000 along with 6% annual interest from the date of the journey in 2022. It also awarded ₹50,000 as compensation for mental agony, harassment, and inconvenience suffered by the complainant.

The dispute arose from a booking made on October 25, 2022 for a barat travelling from Delhi to Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on December 8, 2022. The complainant had paid ₹2,000 in advance and another ₹12,000 before the journey against the agreed amount of ₹18,500.

According to the complaint, the bus, scheduled to arrive at 2:30 PM on the wedding day, reached nearly two hours late. The delay reportedly created inconvenience for family members and guests waiting for the procession to begin.

The situation became more serious later in the night when the bus allegedly took a longer route through Jewar and broke down around midnight. The wedding party was stranded nearly 58 kilometres away from the destination.

The complainant then arranged another vehicle under urgent circumstances so that the wedding procession could continue. Due to the breakdown and delay, the barat reportedly reached the venue around 3:00 AM, much later than the scheduled wedding rituals.

While passing the order, the Commission observed that marriage ceremonies are highly time-sensitive occasions and any disruption can cause embarrassment and emotional distress not only to the couple but also to their families and guests.

“Considering the nature of the occasion, the extent of inconvenience caused, the delay in reaching the destination, and the resultant mental agony and social embarrassment suffered by the complainant, this Commission is of the considered view that compensation should be just, reasonable, and proportionate to the circumstances of the case,” the Commission said.

The Commission further noted that the transport operator failed to prove that the bus had reached the pickup point on time. It also found that no effective contingency arrangements were made after the vehicle broke down during the journey.

Rejecting the operator’s defence regarding partial payment, the Commission stated that once ₹14,000 had been accepted from the complainant, a binding obligation arose to provide the promised service.

The order also highlighted that compensation under the Consumer Protection Act is not limited to financial loss alone and can include compensation for harassment, inconvenience, and mental suffering, especially when the deficiency impacts an important personal event like a marriage.

The Commission directed that the entire amount must be paid within 30 days. In case of default, the amount will carry 9% annual interest until payment is made.