Immigration firm told to refund Rs 1.1 lakh

HYDERABAD: A district consumer forum here directed Kansas Overseas Careers to pay a total of about Rs 1.1 lakh to a consumer for failing to refund the amount paid for immigration service after he had decided not to avail their services.
Liyaqath Baig, the complainant, submitted that he had paid Rs 69, 620 to Kansas Overseas Careers towards Canada immigration services on July 26, 2017.
Owing to his health issues, he said that he had decided to drop his plans to immigrate and added that as he could not avail any services of the firm since the time of registration, he asked the firm to refund the amount paid.
Claiming that the firm failed to refund the amount to date, he filed the complaint seeking compensation.
The opposite party, meanwhile, denied the allegations made in the complaint and expressed its willingness and readiness to provide the services to the complainant as per the terms and conditions of the agreement. It claimed that once the agreement is signed by the complainant he cannot change his mind and decide to withdraw from the process.
The firm stated that it gave an introduction call after initiating the process for the purpose of educating the complainant on the basic level of client service before commencing the actual process. The opposite party further said it had initiated the process and imparted knowledge about the company policies and procedures in providing assistance to the complainant and sent emails on process orientation, checklist, and others.
During the trial, from the documents submitted, the bench inferred that the terms and conditions of the said agreement were not explained nor was the complainant allowed to go through the same and was forced to sign on it.