KOCHI: The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered a photographic firm in Ernakulam to pay Rs 1,18,500 within a month, including compensation, for cheating the couple by not providing them with a wedding album and video.

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum president DB Binu, members V Ramachandran and TN Srividya passed the verdict on a complaint filed by Arun G Nair from Alangad and his wife Shruti from Aluva's Chovvara.

The marriage of the complainants was on 16 April 2017. An advance payment of Rs 58,500 was given to Matrimony Dot Com in Ernakulam to prepare the photo album and video. The agreement was that the remaining Rs 6,000 would be paid when the video and album were handed over. But the album and video were not handed over even after many years. The petitioners then approached the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

Notice was sent to the opposite party in the complaint but they did not appear. Then the ex parte judgment was passed. "The petitioners approached the opposite party to capture the most sacred ceremony in their life. But they did not keep their word. The photographic company is liable to compensate the complainants for the mental and financial hardship caused due to this," the Forum held. Rs 1,18,500, which includes the advance amount of Rs.58,500 paid by the petitioners, a fine of Rs.50,000 and Rs.10,000 in court costs, was ordered to be paid as compensation within a month.