16 May,2011 06:54 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Refusing to let Bangalore Elevated Tollway Limited get away with charging him double toll fee, complainant takes legal steps; courts direct company to pay for inconvenience caused
A city-based advocate took Bangalore Elevated Toll way Limited (BETL) to task after he was charged toll fee even though he was in possession of a valid ticket, which he had bought a day earlier.
C Gnanamurthy (38), was driving on the Electronic City Expressway at 12.40 pm to attend a family function and had purchased a two-way ticket costing Rs 45, which guaranteed validity of 24 hours.
Gnanamurthy was driving on the Electronic City Expressway at 12.40 pm to attend a family function and had purchased a two-way ticket costing Rs 45, which guaranteed validity of 24 hours
While returning on the same route along with relatives at 12.01 pm the next day, and despite holding a valid ticket, he wasn't allowed to proceed further by tollgate staff.
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Though his ticket was valid for half an hour more, it was only after he purchased a fresh ticket was he allowed to go.
The Bangalore District Consumer Court asked BETL to pay Gnanamurthy Rs 5,000 for collecting toll, despite him having a valid ticket.
Example for all
He told this reporter that he initially did not mind paying for another ticket, but felt that it was his duty to show the company that it could not get away with injustice.
He approached the authorities for an explanation and then sent a legal notice with copies of the two tickets as proof and a demand of Rs 1 lakh. "I was busy and did not have time to argue, but later decided to take up the issue legally as an example to everyone."
Gnanamurthy said, "I demanded a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for causing mental harassment," adding that he approached the consumer court when he did not get any response for his notice.
BETL in its explanation argued that the fee was revised from Rs 45 to Rs 50 as per the National Highway Authority of Indiau00a0 on July 12 and the same has been advertised for the commuter's information four days before the enforcement of the revised rates.
However, the ticket issued to Gnanamurthy for Rs 45 has been endorsed with a validity of 24 hours.
Pay up or else
The court observed that the company should have printed revised rates on the tickets issued to Gnanamurthy and awarded a compensation of Rs 5,000 against his demand of Rs 1 lakh, since the complainant had not justified the quoted amount.
The court has asked BETL to pay up an additional Rs 3,000 as cost of the trial and directed payment of the amounts within a month, failing which an interest of 9 per cent would be charged from the date of default.
Did you know?
The tollway at over 9.98 km is the longest elevated national highway in India
