Postal wing fined for missing saris, towels

Hyderabad: Hyderabad District Consumer Redressal Forum-3 on Tuesday ordered the postal department to pay compensation to a complainant who had alleged that a registered parcel sent to his daughter and son-in-law in New Delhi had been tampered with and the contents had gone missing.

The complainant had sent saris, dhoti, trousers and other clothes on the 25th wedding anniversary of his daughter. At the time of booking, the parcel weighed 3.645 kg but it was open and re-stitched and at the time of delivery, it weighed only 1.6 kg.

Mr V. Venkataraman (72) a resident of Mano Vikas Nagar in Hasmathpet of Secunderabad had filed the complaint against the postmaster of Trimulgherry post office and other senior officials of the department of posts of AP and Delhi circle.

He demanded the opposite parties to pay Rs 22,000 towards cost of the missing products with interest and Rs 5 lakh towards compensation.
The complainant had sent gifts worth Rs 22,196  to his son-in-law

Mr V. Viswanathan in New Delhi and had paid Rs 148 towards postal charges. He alleged: “While my son-in-law was opening the parcel, he noticed that it had been opened and re-stitched.

After opening the parcel he found that two saris, two blouses and a towel were missing. I was greatly disturbed mentally and emotionally as the items were to be gifts on their wedding anniversary.”

Postal officials said that the incident might have occurred during transit or at the source and further stated that the parcel was intact at the time of delivery. They also said that the addressee had not personally received the parcel.

Agreeing to the claim, the Forum awarded Rs 22,000 towards the cost of the missing items and also a compensation of Rs 20,000 for causing mental agony to the complainant.