Consumer forum fines marriage bureau for cheating man with promise of bride

KANNUR: The consumer forum has ordered a marriage bureau to pay compensation to a man for not finding a life partner despite registering with them after paying a fee years ago. The man had registered nine years ago by paying Rs 3,000. As they could not find a partner even after several years, the forum directed the bureau to pay a compensation of Rs 8,000 based on his complaint.

In 2016, the 40-year-old of Kannur registered with a marriage bureau operating in his town. The bureau informed him about a suitable bride from Kasaragod, but thereafter no response was received from them. The complainant’s father was suffering from cancer and had long wished to see his son get married. However, that wish remained unfulfilled, and his father passed away last year.

Subsequently, the man approached the consumer forum seeking a refund of the registration fee and an additional Rs 15,000 for the loss of his valuable time and peace of mind. The district consumer forum ordered the bureau to pay Rs 3,000 towards the registration fee, Rs 3,000 as compensation for mental agony, and Rs 2,000 towards litigation expenses.

As the marriage bureau authorities, who were the opposite party in the case, failed to appear before the forum, the order was issued based on the evidence submitted by the complainant. The forum directed the bureau to pay the amount within a month. The order further stated that if the payment is not made within the stipulated period, an annual interest of 9% will be charged from the date of the order.