Dismissal of Revision Petitions in Immigration Consultancy Dispute Over Refund of Fees After Visa Rejection.
16 December 2024
Civil Revision >> Civil & Consumer Law | Consumer Law >> Civil & Consumer Law
The Revision Petitions Nos. 1020 and 1021 of 2022 were filed by the Petitioners (WWICS Global Law Offices Pvt. Ltd.) against the Gujarat State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's order dated 08.06.2022. The order pertained to two appeals involving a complaint filed by the Respondents (Mrs. Parul K. Adhvaryu & Anr.) who had engaged the services of the Petitioners for Canadian immigration. They paid a total of Rs. 68,632 under the "Special Spot Payment Plan" but were dissatisfied when their Permanent Residency (PR) visa application was rejected by the Canadian Government due to policy changes. They were refunded Rs. 31,893 but sought the remaining amount as well as compensation for mental agony.
The District Forum partly allowed the complaint, ordering the Petitioners to refund the remaining amount with interest. The State Commission modified the District Forum's order by including IELTS exam fees and reducing the interest rate. The Petitioners appealed the decision, arguing that the visa rejection was due to changes in Canadian immigration policies and should absolve them of liability. However, the State Commission upheld the order and dismissed the appeal.
Upon revision, the National Commission found no merit in the Petitioners’ appeal, noting that there were concurrent findings by both the District Forum and the State Commission, and there was no material irregularity or error in their decisions. Therefore, the Revision Petitions were dismissed, with no order as to costs.