Hyderabad: FIITJEE asked to refund 2 students who dropped out
The forum also noted that the issue should have been settled earlier rather than dragging it along for two years.
Hyderabad: The FIITJEE, Kukatpally has found itself in a tight spot after two ex-students filed cases against the institution in the consumer court.
Valaboju Ramesh Babu, who resides at KPHB colony, enrolled for the Pinnacle two-year programme at the institute’s Kukatpally branch, after having heard of the institute’s track record. Mr Babu willingly signed the enrolment form and paid the one-year fee of Rs 2 lakh. Mr Babu, due to medical reasons, could not complete his course and requested a refund, which the institution refused claiming that it was against their policy.
Another student, Gondhi Hemadri, enrolled in the same programme, but due to his father’s transfer to Chittoor, had to shift to Narayana Coaching Centre. His request for a refund was also declined.
FIITJEE, on their part, stated that the seats of both the students were left vacant and the institution has to bear expenses such as the lease rent of the premises, salary of the staff, printing of study materials and others. Moreover, the institution claimed, the enrolment form which the students signed, had mentioned that the fees were non-refundable. The institution was under no government aid, and no student had ever left the institution citing deficiency of services, it said.
Although the forum noted that two seats were left vacant as no new student would join in the middle of an academic year, it stated that the complainants could claim the refunds from the opposite parties on the ground of mercy. The forum also noted that the issue should have been settled earlier rather than dragging it along for two years. Moreover, the forum noted, retaining post-dated cheques by the students for their second year is unfair trade practice.
Therefore the forum ruled in favour of the complainants and stated that Gondhi Hemadri would be paid Rs 20,000, i.e. 10 per cent refund of the fees along with a compensation of Rs 10,000 and to pay Rs 5,000 towards costs. Meanwhile Valaboju Ramesh Boju was given Rs 20,000 as refund, Rs 15,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 towards costs.